Former Kansas State center Sam Hecht made history as the second player connected to Wildcats football to be selected by the Carolina Panthers during the 2026 NFL Draft. He’ll join another rookie who previously transferred out of Kansas State as a teammate for the upcoming season.
Wildcats Center Sam Hecht Selected in 2026 NFL Draft
It took until the fifth round and four other centers coming off the board first, but former Kansas State standout Sam Hecht finally heard his name called. He became the second offensive lineman taken in the fifth round.
Hecht is also the first K-State Wildcat selected in the 2026 draft. The Carolina Panthers picked him at No. 144 overall.
During his Kansas State career, Hecht appeared in 42 games and started the final 25 contests across his junior and senior seasons. His accolades include multiple All-Big 12 honors, such as first- and second-team selections, along with Academic All-Big 12 recognition.
Opportunity with the Panthers
Now in Carolina, Hecht has a chance to make more than a routine impression. He’ll aim to earn a role on an offensive line that struggled last season.
Although the Panthers finished the regular season with a 5–12 record, their offensive line was still ranked among the league’s best—trailing only the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and Buffalo Bills. The top lineman on their roster, Damien Lewis, was rated as the sixth-best player at his position in the NFL.
Where Hecht Fits in Carolina’s System
Like most rookie offensive linemen, Hecht likely won’t see significant regular-season action immediately. A preseason role is plausible, but fourth-round centers rarely become day-one starters.
Still, his college résumé is impressive. Those 25 consecutive starts from 2024 to 2025 carry real weight. His durability, production, and leadership give him a solid foundation to develop into a starting-caliber player over time.
Early on, his path will involve backup duties, scout team reps, and earning playing time wherever possible. But the long-term outlook is clear: if he can master the mental demands of the position and hold his own against NFL interior power, he can become the kind of player coaches trust more with experience—beyond what any draft pick number can predict.
