July 24, 2025 • 7 mins
Ikem Ekwonu speaks with the media following Thursday's practice.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hope for the review.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
What happened with I know your brother was here in
the spring, is he did he get anybody's can for?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Uh? No, no, right, no, no, I know my brother
actually got a job working with Wells Fargo, so he's
gonna be out here in Charlotte. So that's definitely a
blessing keeping him in house and would definitely be at
as many games this year as he can. So I
sided for him working out or is he kind of out?
He's a gym rat, no matter what, you know, I'm
sure opportunity came knocking, he'd definitely give it an opportunity.
But yeah, so.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
We saw yesterday Princeley kind of had to be reminded
about quarterback. But Dave said on film review, and he
sort of was trying to avoid, right what did did
you have any kind of follow up with him about
that play?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah? It was a good play. Actually, right after the
play happened, I told h coch coach he kind of
got him, got on him a little bit, so I
had to set the record straight, like, naw, that was
a good play. You know, he tried to run past
a quarterback, So yeah, it was a good play. I
don't think he was tempo violet in it doing nothing
like that. It was just a good sort of play
on Princely Park. Nicky, what are you seeing for the
for these young pass rushers this year? The team maybe
(01:13):
lack last year? Uh, I mean, yeah, these young guys
definitely got some juice. Definitely got some juice to him.
I really feel like the defense as a whole has
just been, uh revitalized in a way. Uh. You know,
those guys have been day in and day out, you know,
they've been they've been trying to s set the tone
every day and uh, offense you're trying to set it too.
And it's led to some some great matchups here uh
during campus. Gonna leaves some great matches moving forward. So yeah,
defensive been involving. I'll I'll do him some credit that he's.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Been hear what they can do or is just that
part of the learning process, right.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I mean of course, But you know, also we had
the old Spring as well, so I got to go
out here and you know, work with them live. So
that was definitely that was definitely a plus get some
of that film out there. But now this guy definitely
got some juice to him.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And when you get to see Frico up close.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
So he was running Virginia. What kind of pop is
off about him? I mean the speed obviously. Uh. I
just feel like Rico just the all around, solid, all around,
all purpose back. I don't know y'all. Y'all are better
at labels than I am, but I feel that's definitely
laid by at the stripamatch. He can really do it all.
He can run out the back food, he can catch
out the backfield, so definitely very well rounded.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
You guys coming to this year on your office line
but came in back.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
That's you of course.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
King also trust three.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
I was gonna have them there. But how im board
is it for your dunit overall to have that conduit?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
You know, I have any kind of goals you guys
have said, taking step forward.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Against some come of season, I mean, first and foremost
is definitely rare, you know, retaining as many guys as
we did, so it's definitely a blessing in that aspect.
But I feel like it's definitely a good opportunity for
us to grow more and more, you know, getting more
and more connected, and I'm fighting the more time and
spend together just you know, We're gonna play that much better,
and I'm definitely decided to have all those guys back.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Rob said, y'all hang out, but to a to a point,
I think someone said, did y'all hang out this summer?
He's like, no, not during the summer. Is that pretty accurate?
And it does? Is there a saturation point where you're like, Okay,
I need a break.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
From these kids. I don't know about saturation point. But
everybody kind of has own summer plan. You know, obviously
Rob has some big plans this summer that you know,
has very personal with him and his family. So congrats
to Rob, uh Andrews and everybody. But you know, obviously
we're back. Now we're gonna be spending six months together
whether we like it or not, but you know, good thing.
We love it. So it's definitely fun being being around
(03:16):
those guys and fellowshipping.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Do you think it's the best post up player in
the offensive lineery?
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Is that what y'all asked Robed yesterday when he came
Instead of doing all that best post up I'm gonna
give credit to Yosh. I'm gonna credit to Yah. Yosh
is pretty stout. I think he has a little bit
of a basketball background, but he reminds me a lot
of Tim Duncan and demeanor, so I'm assuming that translates
a little bit to the basketball court as well. What's
your game based? I think I'm a little bit of
(03:42):
a slasher, you know what I mean. I feel like
I'm obvious some heavier than the average forward. But I
still put myself for that three. You know, I can
do it all. I can shoot, I can drive, So
I'm gonna be I'm gonna be that at three for
who's the kind of Halliburn's a PG? But nah, no, no, no,
I'm not gonna say that, but I'll say maybe, like, uh,
this is one cat young guy. Uh. I think his
name is like Clifton Junior or something like that. Uh,
(04:05):
he's been he had a two way contract for a while,
but everybody kind of caught him out cause he's like
a statter guy. People didn't think he can move as
well as he does. But he's he's he's a baller. Now.
I think it was Clifton or Clayton Junior. Y'all can
fetch up me on that, but i'm'a say that's my
comp You oparate a little bit on that.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Tim Duncan comparison, cause Tim's like a whole thanks Tim Duncan.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
So, you know, always Tim Duncan's like maybe like a
little bit more reserved, a little bit more quiet, maybe
a little bit stoic, and but I feel like, you know,
people that really get to know Tim Duncan based on interviews,
that's say he's a funny guy, lively. So I feel
that's kind of the same way with y'alls. You know,
y'all's my present, Like he's stoic and like he's like
I also had to say Group. I don't know if
y'all seen the uh uh those movies, but I say,
I say, he's like a little bit like Group, Yeah,
(04:47):
from Guardians in the Galaxy. Uh, that's kind of his demeanor.
But like when you really get to talk to him
and get to be around Yash, definitely a lively guy,
fun guy to be around. And uh so that that's
why I said Tim Duncan Williams again, Yeah, I did so.
I did basketball team camp. I didn't play basketball at
PD I wrestled, but I did basketball team camp my
freshman year and he was he was over there. He
(05:10):
he could have dune on me one time. He let
up on me though, I'll never forget that. He definitely
saved me there a little bit. But yeah, I got
a little bit of work for his grant a little bit.
I would live you though.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
So you've talked to us before about you wanting to
be here, and I know you guys had some talks
in the spring. How confident are you you think something
potentially get done before the season or where do you
think Timeline was?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Well? Am I gonna talk Timeline obviously? You know what
I was gonna say. I'm gonna let my age and
handle that one and everything like that. But I've always
said I want to be here missus. You know, people
always say this is home for him, but this is
literally my home, like you know, more in a race
here corporate panther fans. So I definitely want to wear
that that that process blue as long as I can.
So hopefully we can definitely get some done.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, I don't want to fortunate to have a marvel
comparison to all your teammates.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
But what you you s played next?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Damian Lewis played you last year. He had a really
good year.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
What if you learned from now you have a full
calending year now, aye, you don't. Uh so, I'm not
gonna lie. While you was talking, I was thinking of
a Marvel comparison. So can you please redo the question?
My fault. I'm so sorry that game. Yeah, I mean,
Damien is obviously a great guy, family man, keeps God
first in his life. So personality wise, off the field life,
(06:27):
definitely a guy that I wanna stay closer to. But
also on the field, you see, he's a dog, you know.
He he likes to move guys around, he likes to
bully guys on the field, and that's definitely a mindset
I buy into. So definitely decided to have Damien here
next to me. Uh this year comparison, Man, I don't
know while I forgot all their names cause I I
haven't seen the Guardian movie Guardian Galaxy uh movie in
a while. But the guy, the alien guy, he he know,
(06:50):
he's played by the wrestler, you know what I'm talking about. Yes,
drags are the storyer. That's there. You go that, that's
that's Deler right there. He dragts of the story for sure,
I can tell by lack of reacts. Ye ain't seen
the movie, so y'all. Y'all can look it up. Y'all
can look it up. You're gonna be like, yeah, that's right. Yes.
Yesterday Dave was in here and he said the Panthers
are gonna be a team that other people don't want
(07:10):
to play this year. When you hear your coach say
that to set the tone for training camp as an
offensive line, how do you guys take that.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
To use it?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
When we buy into it, you buy into it. That's obviously. Uh,
you know, the trenches where is where the battle starts.
So the trenches where, in my opinion, really dictates the game.
The old line D line. So as long as well
the on line D line is dominant, you know, I
feel like that that's gonna be true. Teams aren't gonna
want to play as as long as we go out
there and we show each and never play that we
want to put you in the dirt. So that's definitely
a monster that we're going to adopt.
Hope for the review.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
What happened with I know your brother was here in
the spring, is he did he get anybody's can for?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Uh? No, no, right, no, no, I know my brother
actually got a job working with Wells Fargo, so he's
gonna be out here in Charlotte. So that's definitely a
blessing keeping him in house and would definitely be at
as many games this year as he can. So I
sided for him working out or is he kind of out?
He's a gym rat, no matter what, you know, I'm
sure opportunity came knocking, he'd definitely give it an opportunity.
But yeah, so.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
We saw yesterday Princeley kind of had to be reminded
about quarterback. But Dave said on film review, and he
sort of was trying to avoid, right what did did
you have any kind of follow up with him about
that play?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah? It was a good play. Actually, right after the
play happened, I told h coch coach he kind of
got him, got on him a little bit, so I
had to set the record straight, like, naw, that was
a good play. You know, he tried to run past
a quarterback, So yeah, it was a good play. I
don't think he was tempo violet in it doing nothing
like that. It was just a good sort of play
on Princely Park. Nicky, what are you seeing for the
for these young pass rushers this year? The team maybe
(01:13):
lack last year? Uh, I mean, yeah, these young guys
definitely got some juice. Definitely got some juice to him.
I really feel like the defense as a whole has
just been, uh revitalized in a way. Uh. You know,
those guys have been day in and day out, you know,
they've been they've been trying to s set the tone
every day and uh, offense you're trying to set it too.
And it's led to some some great matchups here uh
during campus. Gonna leaves some great matches moving forward. So yeah,
defensive been involving. I'll I'll do him some credit that he's.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Been hear what they can do or is just that
part of the learning process, right.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I mean of course, But you know, also we had
the old Spring as well, so I got to go
out here and you know, work with them live. So
that was definitely that was definitely a plus get some
of that film out there. But now this guy definitely
got some juice to him.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And when you get to see Frico up close.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
So he was running Virginia. What kind of pop is
off about him? I mean the speed obviously. Uh. I
just feel like Rico just the all around, solid, all around,
all purpose back. I don't know y'all. Y'all are better
at labels than I am, but I feel that's definitely
laid by at the stripamatch. He can really do it all.
He can run out the back food, he can catch
out the backfield, so definitely very well rounded.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
You guys coming to this year on your office line
but came in back.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
That's you of course.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
King also trust three.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
I was gonna have them there. But how im board
is it for your dunit overall to have that conduit?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
You know, I have any kind of goals you guys
have said, taking step forward.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Against some come of season, I mean, first and foremost
is definitely rare, you know, retaining as many guys as
we did, so it's definitely a blessing in that aspect.
But I feel like it's definitely a good opportunity for
us to grow more and more, you know, getting more
and more connected, and I'm fighting the more time and
spend together just you know, We're gonna play that much better,
and I'm definitely decided to have all those guys back.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Rob said, y'all hang out, but to a to a point,
I think someone said, did y'all hang out this summer?
He's like, no, not during the summer. Is that pretty accurate?
And it does? Is there a saturation point where you're like, Okay,
I need a break.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
From these kids. I don't know about saturation point. But
everybody kind of has own summer plan. You know, obviously
Rob has some big plans this summer that you know,
has very personal with him and his family. So congrats
to Rob, uh Andrews and everybody. But you know, obviously
we're back. Now we're gonna be spending six months together
whether we like it or not, but you know, good thing.
We love it. So it's definitely fun being being around
(03:16):
those guys and fellowshipping.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Do you think it's the best post up player in
the offensive lineery?
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Is that what y'all asked Robed yesterday when he came
Instead of doing all that best post up I'm gonna
give credit to Yosh. I'm gonna credit to Yah. Yosh
is pretty stout. I think he has a little bit
of a basketball background, but he reminds me a lot
of Tim Duncan and demeanor, so I'm assuming that translates
a little bit to the basketball court as well. What's
your game based? I think I'm a little bit of
(03:42):
a slasher, you know what I mean. I feel like
I'm obvious some heavier than the average forward. But I
still put myself for that three. You know, I can
do it all. I can shoot, I can drive, So
I'm gonna be I'm gonna be that at three for
who's the kind of Halliburn's a PG? But nah, no, no, no,
I'm not gonna say that, but I'll say maybe, like, uh,
this is one cat young guy. Uh. I think his
name is like Clifton Junior or something like that. Uh,
(04:05):
he's been he had a two way contract for a while,
but everybody kind of caught him out cause he's like
a statter guy. People didn't think he can move as
well as he does. But he's he's he's a baller. Now.
I think it was Clifton or Clayton Junior. Y'all can
fetch up me on that, but i'm'a say that's my
comp You oparate a little bit on that.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Tim Duncan comparison, cause Tim's like a whole thanks Tim Duncan.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
So, you know, always Tim Duncan's like maybe like a
little bit more reserved, a little bit more quiet, maybe
a little bit stoic, and but I feel like, you know,
people that really get to know Tim Duncan based on interviews,
that's say he's a funny guy, lively. So I feel
that's kind of the same way with y'alls. You know,
y'all's my present, Like he's stoic and like he's like
I also had to say Group. I don't know if
y'all seen the uh uh those movies, but I say,
I say, he's like a little bit like Group, Yeah,
(04:47):
from Guardians in the Galaxy. Uh, that's kind of his demeanor.
But like when you really get to talk to him
and get to be around Yash, definitely a lively guy,
fun guy to be around. And uh so that that's
why I said Tim Duncan Williams again, Yeah, I did so.
I did basketball team camp. I didn't play basketball at
PD I wrestled, but I did basketball team camp my
freshman year and he was he was over there. He
(05:10):
he could have dune on me one time. He let
up on me though, I'll never forget that. He definitely
saved me there a little bit. But yeah, I got
a little bit of work for his grant a little bit.
I would live you though.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
So you've talked to us before about you wanting to
be here, and I know you guys had some talks
in the spring. How confident are you you think something
potentially get done before the season or where do you
think Timeline was?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Well? Am I gonna talk Timeline obviously? You know what
I was gonna say. I'm gonna let my age and
handle that one and everything like that. But I've always
said I want to be here missus. You know, people
always say this is home for him, but this is
literally my home, like you know, more in a race
here corporate panther fans. So I definitely want to wear
that that that process blue as long as I can.
So hopefully we can definitely get some done.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, I don't want to fortunate to have a marvel
comparison to all your teammates.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
But what you you s played next?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Damian Lewis played you last year. He had a really
good year.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
What if you learned from now you have a full
calending year now, aye, you don't. Uh so, I'm not
gonna lie. While you was talking, I was thinking of
a Marvel comparison. So can you please redo the question?
My fault. I'm so sorry that game. Yeah, I mean,
Damien is obviously a great guy, family man, keeps God
first in his life. So personality wise, off the field life,
(06:27):
definitely a guy that I wanna stay closer to. But
also on the field, you see, he's a dog, you know.
He he likes to move guys around, he likes to
bully guys on the field, and that's definitely a mindset
I buy into. So definitely decided to have Damien here
next to me. Uh this year comparison, Man, I don't
know while I forgot all their names cause I I
haven't seen the Guardian movie Guardian Galaxy uh movie in
a while. But the guy, the alien guy, he he know,
(06:50):
he's played by the wrestler, you know what I'm talking about. Yes,
drags are the storyer. That's there. You go that, that's
that's Deler right there. He dragts of the story for sure,
I can tell by lack of reacts. Ye ain't seen
the movie, so y'all. Y'all can look it up. Y'all
can look it up. You're gonna be like, yeah, that's right. Yes.
Yesterday Dave was in here and he said the Panthers
are gonna be a team that other people don't want
(07:10):
to play this year. When you hear your coach say
that to set the tone for training camp as an
offensive line, how do you guys take that.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
To use it?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
When we buy into it, you buy into it. That's obviously. Uh,
you know, the trenches where is where the battle starts.
So the trenches where, in my opinion, really dictates the game.
The old line D line. So as long as well
the on line D line is dominant, you know, I
feel like that that's gonna be true. Teams aren't gonna
want to play as as long as we go out
there and we show each and never play that we
want to put you in the dirt. So that's definitely
a monster that we're going to adopt.
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