Carolina Panthers: Host Ball-Hawking Safety With 10 Interceptions

According to Ryan Fowler, the Panthers will host former LSU Tigers safety A.J. Haulcy for a 30-visit. He fits Ejiro Evero’s scheme because of his aggressiveness, ball-hawking skills with ten interceptions in his college career, versatility to line up in the box and at deep safety, willingness as a run defender, and recognition skills and familiarity with a zone-heavy Cover 3 scheme. Haulcy is currently projected as a Day 2 pick and could fall into Carolina’s laps at pick No. 51.

Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaign

A.J. Haulcy transferred to the LSU Tigers for the 2025 season after spending 2022 with the New Mexico Lobos and 2023 through 2024 with the Houston Cougars. Haulcy enjoyed a strong senior campaign, recording 88 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, three interceptions, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble across 12 games, allowing 265 passing yards, one touchdown, and a 59 passer rating. His efforts earned him a First-Team All-SEC selection. 

Haulcy wrapped up his four-year tenure, totaling 347 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, ten interceptions, 19 pass breakups, and four forced fumbles across 48 games. His other accolades include earning Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2022 and First-Team All-Big-12 in 2024.

Here’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report

“Haulcy, aka Mr. Give Me That, is a throwback safety with a compact, densely muscled frame and a pro feel for reading the field. He’s a rare blend of ballhawk and enforcer who can scurry into passing lanes for takeaways or run through a receiver to break up a pass. His pattern recognition and instincts are top-notch and he’s decisive in his reactions.

“A lack of sustained top-end speed could create mismatches in man coverage. He’s more effective playing forward than he is at guarding large spaces in deeper coverages. He’s rock-steady as a finisher but sees the missed tackle total tick higher as an open-field tackler.

“Haulcy’s frame and game are pro-ready, though. He projects as a good NFL starter in a zone-heavy scheme.”

He projects that he will eventually become an average starter.