Carolina makes bold addition with International signing

From Accounting to the NFL: Panthers’ Latest Prospect Turns Heads

The Carolina Panthers just added a name to their roster that few fans had on their radar—Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa. The 20-year-old edge rusher from Peterborough, England, is joining the team through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, trading spreadsheets for sacks in one of the league’s boldest moves this offseason.

Mwansa’s journey to the NFL reads like a sports documentary in the making. Born to Zambian parents and raised on soccer, his dream was to follow in Yaya Touré’s footsteps—not chase quarterbacks. But after a friend saw his 10.48-second 100-meter dash at an informal university sports day, Mwansa’s path took a sharp turn. He began to watch Netflix shows, Last Chance U, and the Quarterback documentary. A year later, he was starring at a Pro Day hosted by the NFL and University of South Florida, outpacing many seasoned prospects and catching the attention of Carolina scouts.

A Developmental Gem in a Rebuilding Era

For a team in transition, Mwansa represents both a long-term investment and a culture play. Carolina’s pass rush is being reshaped under new outside linebackers coach AC Carter, and recent addition Patrick Jones II. While Mwansa won’t count against the active roster thanks to the IPP slot, his upside is significant. He’s been likened physically to Eagles pass rusher Nolan Smith Jr. and already shows flashes of edge-bending potential.

Panthers Director of Player Personnel Cole Spencer summed it up: “Anytime you get a raw ball of clay like that, and the league affords a roster spot, it’s pretty cool.”

Now wearing No. 96, Mwansa is more than a roster experiment. He’s a symbol of how far the game has spread—and how far he’s come in such a short time. Panthers fans love an underdog story. This one might just be worth investing in.

Watch out this preseason—Maz Mwansa is just getting started.