Rookie Will Lee III picks off Bryce Young, highlights Panthers' training camp

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers rookie cornerback Will Lee III set up quarterback Bryce Young.

Creating the highlight moment during Friday's NFL training camp practice, the fourth-round draft pick observed how wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan ran a sideline route and made the reception with him in coverage. He took notes.

"I was close to picking that one," Lee said just before exiting the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium.

Less than five minutes later, Lee lined up opposite Xavier Legette, who attempted the same pattern. Lee jumped the play and intercepted Young on the final play of practice. The defensive players standing along the sideline broke out in celebration. 

"I had eyes on the quarterback," he said.

He had eyes on "my first (professional) pick. You know, it feels good," he said. "Second day of camp, getting a pick, starting it off early.

"It really helps build that confidence."

With starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (foot) and Mike Jackson (back) sidelined Friday, Lee drew a majority of first-team reps.

"It was a great experience to be out there with the veteran guys and just learning from them and hearing how they communicate on the field," he said. "You want to go out there and just be consistent for the vets. You want to build that trust for them, make them understand that you want to go out here and work and it means as much to you as it does to them."

Panthers rookie CB Will Lee III gains first-team experience

Earlier in practice, Lee experienced the other side of being a cornerback in the NFL. 

Attempting to defend rookie Chris Brazzell II on a fly route, Lee absorbed downfield contact and was out of position to defend the high-arcing completion. Lee credited his draftmate's physicality and Young's precision.   

"You know, I was in a good position," he said. "I was really leaning on him and Bryce made a good throw to his outside shoulder. 

"You know, that was a good catch by him and it's just a better ball for Bryce. It was like iron sharpens iron. You got a good receiver in Braz and you got a good corner in me. Just seeing two guys go out there and compete and just give good work for each other is a great thing to see."

MORE: Pressure intensifies for Panthers' Princely Umanmielen without Nic Scourton

Lee pointed to Horn and Jackson's leadership throughout the offseason training activities for helping the former Texas A&M standout

"The cornerback room is great, having guys like Horn and Jackson to feed off of," he said. "You got really two good veterans that really know how to get it done in this league."

Horn earned Pro Bowl status in 2025 and Jackson finished as one of the top cornerbacks in the league, posting 34 tackles, 12 passes defended and four interceptions, including a pick-six during the final seven games last season.

"You have a vast majority of people on the team that do different things," Lee said. "You can pick from their brains and learn a lot of things to add to your game."

Panthers coach Dave Canales pointed to how the rookie rebounded Friday.

"Got beat on a deep one," he said. "What I love, he bounced back and made the play of the day at the end."

More NFL news:

• Panthers re-sign Brady Christensen, bolster OL versatility
• Entering Panthers' training camp, RB Trevor Etienne, WR Jimmy Horn Jr. face challenging journeys
• Can healthy Derrick Brown make bigger difference to Panthers' defense?
• With Rico Dowdle gone, Panthers need production from backup RBs
• 2026 NFL Draft: Why Panthers selected Georgia OT Monroe Freeling in first round