July 22, 2025 • 10 mins
Nic Scourton speaks with the media for the first time since signing his rookie contract.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Upon further review, Nick, at any point kind of during
the off season, with all the second round picks kind
of waiting on contracts, did you get any concerned that
you wouldn't be here? And as a guy who's kind
of said you're very big in your playbook, very big
in the film, I mean, were you concerned at all
about potentially getting not getting off on the right foot?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
No, sir, I mean, it's the day I stepped foot
in the building. I just ben't worry about football. I mean, uh,
you know, I can't really control those things, and you know,
I'm I let my agents and you know, the Panthers,
you know that's uh between them. All I can do
is my best foot forward and you know, come out
here and become a better player. Was there a sense
of relief when it was finally done? I mean, I
(00:45):
I knew it was coming. I mean, as long as
I stayed in good standing with the team and I
did what I had to do, I knew it was coming.
So I guess, so I guess it's kind of just
good to just get that out of the way. MM.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
If you stayed in touch with Jamar Stewart at all
and kind of what he's going through kind of you know,
he's he's trying to set a precedent.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So it's I mean, uh, Stu's my brother, you know,
I I I love him, but you know, I kind
of like I said, I mean, I I'm I'm a
rookie too. I got things to focus on, and you know, uh,
you know, I'm praying for him. I'm praying for everything
he's going through. You know, I bet it. I bet
it's you know, a rough handle and all that stuff.
But you know, I'm just kind of just focusing on
myself and you know, my career.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
I think you're the youngest guy on the roster or
if not very close to it, is there a guy
that's kind of taking you under his wing to kind
of mentor you throughout not just mini camp and and
and that stuff, but like the off season and d today.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yes, sir, I think, like you know, I can name
a bunch of a bunch of guys who's you know
kind of just you know, big bro me and mentored
me by two guys I really you know, uh wanna
shout outs, uh DJ want him and Pat Jones Like man,
they've helped me out so much and you know, I
have so much knowledge, so much uh experience, and it's
it's just good and refreshing to be around guys who,
you know, even though we're competing against each other, but
they just wanna see me get better and help the team.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So those two especially, and then the AC is is
pretty young position coach. He's like five years removed from
being in the college game. How is he connected with
you guys as far as just communication and and teaching?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, I think, Uh, when you got a young guy
who's who's hungry and you know, who's been in good
rooms like he was in uh LA last year, I
think it's just wonderful. One. He's super excited to you know,
get out there and coach us and mentor us, and
you know it's like a brotherhood, you know cause I
mean we're not that far in age, and it's kind
of nice. It's kind of nice that we have like
a like a relationship where I can come to him
and talk to him. But it's a respect because he's
(02:28):
very serious about what he does, and you know, being young,
he has to you know, ramp it up, you know,
other than you know, being a older coach.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
It's what do you sense, uh, about the the vibe
in the city here. I know you haven't been around
in a lot new to the team, but what what
have you sensed here? Because they've had a long seventh
straight losing seasons, So what are your sets going into
this season?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
You know? So I stay here the whole break just
trying to figure out Charlotte and I love it, man,
the the the city's full of juice and you know,
full of uh love. And I think, uh, once we
get this back row and it's gonna beautiful. So you know,
I'm excited. I'm just ready to put uh helmet and
paths on and get out there and you know, and
get these fans routed up.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Did you figure out about the city while you were here?
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Nice museums, amazing food, great trails and walks. I love walking.
And it's just it's a lot of a lot of
lot of things to do and it and it's a
lot of like like it's a lot of juice around
the sea, like, it's a lot of youth, a lot
of people that do things, a lot of things you
can go out and do. It's just nice. I don't
drack stuff aside when it comes to football. Obviously, your
GM is a very famous linebacker here.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
W how what's their conversations without about ball?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I haven't had many conversations with uh Dan about about ball. Man.
I just every time I see him, I just think
I'm so much man. I'm I'm just happy to be here, honestly. Uh.
But you know, uh going back and watch him his tape, Man,
Dan's a uh freak. He's a He's a monster man.
Uh And and I I have so much more respect
for him because he's been in my position, and like
I said, I'm just so blessed to be here.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I appreciate him play forever all sir? What to like
to play for ever? All? Oh? Like like he's fired
up as well, Like I mean, coach, he is amazing
really like hard on the details, and you know he wants,
uh everybody everything to be perfect and that's what you
want in DC. And he's fired up and he has
his hands on everybody. So you know, I love playing
for coaching. You so far from from OTAs and things
like that.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
There's a real sec vibe in this draft class I
And I know that doesn't guarantee anything, uh, but I
do you think it'll help the transition that so many
of you played in what's considered that, you know, hands
down the best conference in the country.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Uh. You know, I don't like to get into the
UH Conference too much cause you know, I played in
the Big Ten and I I love Purduing. I love
the Big Ten. I it's great football, but I mean
it's the SEC. I mean it's it's a different level
of UH competition. And Uh. I was talking with my
buddies UH places with Fogons Jalen Walker, and we were
just talking like, man, like you know, we we playing SEC,
Like you know, this is like like the league. Like
(04:52):
I've come out of here like it ain't nothing. Like
I'm not saying it's not nothing, but you know I I've
been prepped well by good coaches and good competition every week,
and I played in big stadiums and things like that.
So yes, I would say, but I mean obviously these
are grown man with families and they got money to make,
so you know, I it won't be so much definitely
about locker locker room material with that. Yeah, no, no,
(05:14):
I N I'm not saying like that. I was just saying, like,
what is better? See see your big town. I just
love to play football as they all had more time together.
How is you and Princeville's relationship growing?
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Cause obviously you guys remember the clip of you guys
in the hotel room move and everything around.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
How's that relationship grow? Uh, it's go. It's gone so much.
I mean the more uh time that you put uh
sweat in with the guy and then you know us
coming in the rookies the same position group. You know
we kind of put together. I mean, I we're just
starting to click and uh, you know I I really
respect Princely and you know I'm trying to, you know,
find ways to where me and him can work off
each other and not just you know, us getting more
snaps together during camping getting better. But you know, it's
(05:52):
been great man to be around such a h another
like high caliber. You know sec Russell, you know he
was a first team All ac too as well and
came when you're back to the.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Walks, Cause there's science behind like how that can help
you think about things differently and stuff?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
But is that something you use it for? You think
about football when you're out there? Is it totally different?
How far are you uh? How far are you walking? Uh? Oh?
Like when I go wal home, walks. Honestly, I just
I don't know. I like when I'm sitting in the house,
you know, I got I got my little kiddy right there.
I just wanna get out of a little bit, listen
to some music, clear my head a little bit. And
I don't know. I I guess like I kind of
daydream a little bit. You know, I'm walking around trees.
(06:25):
I might hit a little swipe, you know, just just
getting out there, just getting active, some little active recovery.
But I don't think too much into it. Cat I do, uh, Jr.
I got a main coon. Uh, a main coon, if
you know what that is. He he he he he's
he's gonna be like thirty five pounds, yeah in this
(06:46):
big a big cat. Why uh he's only fourteen fifteen weeks.
So he's like, I don't know, I hadn't weighed him.
He he gotta go back to the vat when he's
six months. So I I'll I'll update John stay important
j R. Junior. I don't know. I just weigh that much.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
I try, do you do you have to put him
on the scort and like we plan afterwards.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
No, he's gonna be healthy. I mean, when you get
these cats, you expect them to be big. And that's
why I got them for it, because I'm not a
big dog person like I have. I have a dog
and I have a mini long haired dogs and she's
very small. But I love cats. And he's a big
cat and he's dope and he's fine and he's like
really friendly, So I love him.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Walk those on a leash since it's so dud.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I try, but he's not a big fan of the
least right now, Okay, Nah, sit and roll around.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Obviously you have you have call camp in college, but like,
have you talked to the guys that are veterans, like
Pad and DJ to kind of know what to expect
from training camp in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Yes, ma'am. You can get as much inform information as
you want, I mean, but until you're in it, you
really don't. So I'm trying to, you know, come into
the camp with a clear head. You know, I'm ready
to compete. You know, I'm trying to some repping, you know,
earn some uh you know, some reps out there. So
just coming here, uh clear headed and sure, do you
get to work? Do you have a first goal war
for the season. Honestly, just you know, g get this
(08:10):
staying rolling. I'm uh, you know, the team's focus on
winning and that's what we gonna do. Personal goals, you know,
that comes along with it.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
How is it you were brought in here to pressure
the quarterback? He's something this team that do very well
last year? What's realistic for for you in terms of
sacks and then for this group as a whole.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
I mean, like I said, uh I I I can't
really gauge you know, st statistics or anything like that,
but all I can tell you is we're putting our
best for foward to come on and win some games
this year. Big uh.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's a big part of your pre draft process was
how much weight you lost prior to coming here.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
How how is that going? Y? And you essentially said
it was just a product of you being more disciplined
in your uh diets and stuff it. So just generally,
how's that going? Yeah? So one of the one of
the job, because you know, everybody looked at me as
a tweiner, and I did, and I was really I
was like in OTA's and I liked it. You know,
I felt I felt more explosive. So the off season
I wanted to put on a little bit more pounds,
(09:09):
Like I'm at like two sixty five right now, and
I think this is the perfect you know wait where
like like the balance where I can pass rush and
you know, defend the run and you know, be physical
and things like that.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Sir, when you were talking about the city, are you
a museum guy or anything that stood out.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Or my uh I I personally didn't go to z
and my parents did and they send me all types
of pictures. Yeah, No, I didn't know Tomas the experience. Yeah,
beautiful pictures. I'm like, wow, And I think it's like
free you can go for free on like Wednesdays or
something like that. Hey, beautiful pictures. You know. I was
a part of it. I'm in a group chat that
(09:44):
was a part of it. Yeah, we'll get you, We'll
get you out there. Yeah, I appreciate that. Her name
is Lily. Lily, Lily comes tomorrow. My brother's gonna come
and he's gonna be cat sitting and staying in my
house while I'm at the otop. Uh No, I just
have one. I have Lily and I have my cat.
(10:05):
These cats are huge. You see him, No, he's he's
only fourteen weeks right now he's gonna get day. When
I got him, he's like this big and now he's
like this big. And it's been like three weeks, four
weeks when.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
You got much about Dave Canalis. What have you learned
about him in a short time?
Speaker 2 (10:23):
You know, Uh, just his philosophy is on you know,
playing hard, you know, getting the ball out, and just
his his his background of where he comes from. You know,
he's a young coach and he he's been around the
league for a minute. And I just have so much
respect for Coach Canals. Like I said, you know, the
guy's upstairs. Man I I I I'm gonna do whatever
I can to you know, repay those guys for you know,
drafting me and give me the opportunity to come showcase
my talent. So you know, I uh much upro upmost
(10:45):
respect for Coach Canalis, and I'm super excited to, uh,
you know, play for him.
Upon further review, Nick, at any point kind of during
the off season, with all the second round picks kind
of waiting on contracts, did you get any concerned that
you wouldn't be here? And as a guy who's kind
of said you're very big in your playbook, very big
in the film, I mean, were you concerned at all
about potentially getting not getting off on the right foot?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
No, sir, I mean, it's the day I stepped foot
in the building. I just ben't worry about football. I mean, uh,
you know, I can't really control those things, and you know,
I'm I let my agents and you know, the Panthers,
you know that's uh between them. All I can do
is my best foot forward and you know, come out
here and become a better player. Was there a sense
of relief when it was finally done? I mean, I
(00:45):
I knew it was coming. I mean, as long as
I stayed in good standing with the team and I
did what I had to do, I knew it was coming.
So I guess, so I guess it's kind of just
good to just get that out of the way. MM.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
If you stayed in touch with Jamar Stewart at all
and kind of what he's going through kind of you know,
he's he's trying to set a precedent.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So it's I mean, uh, Stu's my brother, you know,
I I I love him, but you know, I kind
of like I said, I mean, I I'm I'm a
rookie too. I got things to focus on, and you know, uh,
you know, I'm praying for him. I'm praying for everything
he's going through. You know, I bet it. I bet
it's you know, a rough handle and all that stuff.
But you know, I'm just kind of just focusing on
myself and you know, my career.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
I think you're the youngest guy on the roster or
if not very close to it, is there a guy
that's kind of taking you under his wing to kind
of mentor you throughout not just mini camp and and
and that stuff, but like the off season and d today.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yes, sir, I think, like you know, I can name
a bunch of a bunch of guys who's you know
kind of just you know, big bro me and mentored
me by two guys I really you know, uh wanna
shout outs, uh DJ want him and Pat Jones Like man,
they've helped me out so much and you know, I
have so much knowledge, so much uh experience, and it's
it's just good and refreshing to be around guys who,
you know, even though we're competing against each other, but
they just wanna see me get better and help the team.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So those two especially, and then the AC is is
pretty young position coach. He's like five years removed from
being in the college game. How is he connected with
you guys as far as just communication and and teaching?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, I think, Uh, when you got a young guy
who's who's hungry and you know, who's been in good
rooms like he was in uh LA last year, I
think it's just wonderful. One. He's super excited to you know,
get out there and coach us and mentor us, and
you know it's like a brotherhood, you know cause I
mean we're not that far in age, and it's kind
of nice. It's kind of nice that we have like
a like a relationship where I can come to him
and talk to him. But it's a respect because he's
(02:28):
very serious about what he does, and you know, being young,
he has to you know, ramp it up, you know,
other than you know, being a older coach.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
It's what do you sense, uh, about the the vibe
in the city here. I know you haven't been around
in a lot new to the team, but what what
have you sensed here? Because they've had a long seventh
straight losing seasons, So what are your sets going into
this season?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
You know? So I stay here the whole break just
trying to figure out Charlotte and I love it, man,
the the the city's full of juice and you know,
full of uh love. And I think, uh, once we
get this back row and it's gonna beautiful. So you know,
I'm excited. I'm just ready to put uh helmet and
paths on and get out there and you know, and
get these fans routed up.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Did you figure out about the city while you were here?
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Nice museums, amazing food, great trails and walks. I love walking.
And it's just it's a lot of a lot of
lot of things to do and it and it's a
lot of like like it's a lot of juice around
the sea, like, it's a lot of youth, a lot
of people that do things, a lot of things you
can go out and do. It's just nice. I don't
drack stuff aside when it comes to football. Obviously, your
GM is a very famous linebacker here.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
W how what's their conversations without about ball?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I haven't had many conversations with uh Dan about about ball. Man.
I just every time I see him, I just think
I'm so much man. I'm I'm just happy to be here, honestly. Uh.
But you know, uh going back and watch him his tape, Man,
Dan's a uh freak. He's a He's a monster man.
Uh And and I I have so much more respect
for him because he's been in my position, and like
I said, I'm just so blessed to be here.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I appreciate him play forever all sir? What to like
to play for ever? All? Oh? Like like he's fired
up as well, Like I mean, coach, he is amazing
really like hard on the details, and you know he wants,
uh everybody everything to be perfect and that's what you
want in DC. And he's fired up and he has
his hands on everybody. So you know, I love playing
for coaching. You so far from from OTAs and things
like that.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
There's a real sec vibe in this draft class I
And I know that doesn't guarantee anything, uh, but I
do you think it'll help the transition that so many
of you played in what's considered that, you know, hands
down the best conference in the country.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Uh. You know, I don't like to get into the
UH Conference too much cause you know, I played in
the Big Ten and I I love Purduing. I love
the Big Ten. I it's great football, but I mean
it's the SEC. I mean it's it's a different level
of UH competition. And Uh. I was talking with my
buddies UH places with Fogons Jalen Walker, and we were
just talking like, man, like you know, we we playing SEC,
Like you know, this is like like the league. Like
(04:52):
I've come out of here like it ain't nothing. Like
I'm not saying it's not nothing, but you know I I've
been prepped well by good coaches and good competition every week,
and I played in big stadiums and things like that.
So yes, I would say, but I mean obviously these
are grown man with families and they got money to make,
so you know, I it won't be so much definitely
about locker locker room material with that. Yeah, no, no,
(05:14):
I N I'm not saying like that. I was just saying, like,
what is better? See see your big town. I just
love to play football as they all had more time together.
How is you and Princeville's relationship growing?
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Cause obviously you guys remember the clip of you guys
in the hotel room move and everything around.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
How's that relationship grow? Uh, it's go. It's gone so much.
I mean the more uh time that you put uh
sweat in with the guy and then you know us
coming in the rookies the same position group. You know
we kind of put together. I mean, I we're just
starting to click and uh, you know I I really
respect Princely and you know I'm trying to, you know,
find ways to where me and him can work off
each other and not just you know, us getting more
snaps together during camping getting better. But you know, it's
(05:52):
been great man to be around such a h another
like high caliber. You know sec Russell, you know he
was a first team All ac too as well and
came when you're back to the.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Walks, Cause there's science behind like how that can help
you think about things differently and stuff?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
But is that something you use it for? You think
about football when you're out there? Is it totally different?
How far are you uh? How far are you walking? Uh? Oh?
Like when I go wal home, walks. Honestly, I just
I don't know. I like when I'm sitting in the house,
you know, I got I got my little kiddy right there.
I just wanna get out of a little bit, listen
to some music, clear my head a little bit. And
I don't know. I I guess like I kind of
daydream a little bit. You know, I'm walking around trees.
(06:25):
I might hit a little swipe, you know, just just
getting out there, just getting active, some little active recovery.
But I don't think too much into it. Cat I do, uh, Jr.
I got a main coon. Uh, a main coon, if
you know what that is. He he he he he's
he's gonna be like thirty five pounds, yeah in this
(06:46):
big a big cat. Why uh he's only fourteen fifteen weeks.
So he's like, I don't know, I hadn't weighed him.
He he gotta go back to the vat when he's
six months. So I I'll I'll update John stay important
j R. Junior. I don't know. I just weigh that much.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
I try, do you do you have to put him
on the scort and like we plan afterwards.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
No, he's gonna be healthy. I mean, when you get
these cats, you expect them to be big. And that's
why I got them for it, because I'm not a
big dog person like I have. I have a dog
and I have a mini long haired dogs and she's
very small. But I love cats. And he's a big
cat and he's dope and he's fine and he's like
really friendly, So I love him.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Walk those on a leash since it's so dud.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I try, but he's not a big fan of the
least right now, Okay, Nah, sit and roll around.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Obviously you have you have call camp in college, but like,
have you talked to the guys that are veterans, like
Pad and DJ to kind of know what to expect
from training camp in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Yes, ma'am. You can get as much inform information as
you want, I mean, but until you're in it, you
really don't. So I'm trying to, you know, come into
the camp with a clear head. You know, I'm ready
to compete. You know, I'm trying to some repping, you know,
earn some uh you know, some reps out there. So
just coming here, uh clear headed and sure, do you
get to work? Do you have a first goal war
for the season. Honestly, just you know, g get this
(08:10):
staying rolling. I'm uh, you know, the team's focus on
winning and that's what we gonna do. Personal goals, you know,
that comes along with it.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
How is it you were brought in here to pressure
the quarterback? He's something this team that do very well
last year? What's realistic for for you in terms of
sacks and then for this group as a whole.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
I mean, like I said, uh I I I can't
really gauge you know, st statistics or anything like that,
but all I can tell you is we're putting our
best for foward to come on and win some games
this year. Big uh.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's a big part of your pre draft process was
how much weight you lost prior to coming here.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
How how is that going? Y? And you essentially said
it was just a product of you being more disciplined
in your uh diets and stuff it. So just generally,
how's that going? Yeah? So one of the one of
the job, because you know, everybody looked at me as
a tweiner, and I did, and I was really I
was like in OTA's and I liked it. You know,
I felt I felt more explosive. So the off season
I wanted to put on a little bit more pounds,
(09:09):
Like I'm at like two sixty five right now, and
I think this is the perfect you know wait where
like like the balance where I can pass rush and
you know, defend the run and you know, be physical
and things like that.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Sir, when you were talking about the city, are you
a museum guy or anything that stood out.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Or my uh I I personally didn't go to z
and my parents did and they send me all types
of pictures. Yeah, No, I didn't know Tomas the experience. Yeah,
beautiful pictures. I'm like, wow, And I think it's like
free you can go for free on like Wednesdays or
something like that. Hey, beautiful pictures. You know. I was
a part of it. I'm in a group chat that
(09:44):
was a part of it. Yeah, we'll get you, We'll
get you out there. Yeah, I appreciate that. Her name
is Lily. Lily, Lily comes tomorrow. My brother's gonna come
and he's gonna be cat sitting and staying in my
house while I'm at the otop. Uh No, I just
have one. I have Lily and I have my cat.
(10:05):
These cats are huge. You see him, No, he's he's
only fourteen weeks right now he's gonna get day. When
I got him, he's like this big and now he's
like this big. And it's been like three weeks, four
weeks when.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
You got much about Dave Canalis. What have you learned
about him in a short time?
Speaker 2 (10:23):
You know, Uh, just his philosophy is on you know,
playing hard, you know, getting the ball out, and just
his his his background of where he comes from. You know,
he's a young coach and he he's been around the
league for a minute. And I just have so much
respect for Coach Canals. Like I said, you know, the
guy's upstairs. Man I I I I'm gonna do whatever
I can to you know, repay those guys for you know,
drafting me and give me the opportunity to come showcase
my talent. So you know, I uh much upro upmost
(10:45):
respect for Coach Canalis, and I'm super excited to, uh,
you know, play for him.
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