Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said that Sam Hecht will have the chance to compete for a starting job immediately after taking him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Hecht slid to the fifth round after many outlets considered him a second- or third-round pick throughout the predraft process. The two-year starter at Kansas State was taken with the No. 144 overall selection on Saturday, April 25.

"He's going to have the chance to compete," Morgan said. "What you see is his initial quickness; he's good with angles, he can reach guys, and he's good with his hands. He's another guy who can work to the second level, get out in space as a puller. There are a lot of things that we like about him."

Kansas State freshman wide receiver Julius Wilson (16) walks in to practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State sophomore offensive lineman Gus Hawkins (70) works on a drill with sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Howard (72) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State players run to positions during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State head coach Collin Klein slaps hands with senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State football players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State defensive lineman coach Buddy Wyatt watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State head coach Collin Klein fist bumps associate head and wide recievers coach Thad Ward during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State senior quarterback Jacob Knuth (7) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State tight ends coach Brian Lepak makes calls during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State defensive backs coach Jeremiah Johnson watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State running backs coach Cory Patterson runs with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State junior offensive lineman Tanner Morley (77) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State sophomore quarterback Blake Barnett (3) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State offensive lineman coach Mike Schmidt talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State sophomore defensive back Koy Beasley (0) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State head coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State defensive tackles coach Jordan Dove talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State redshirt freshman safety RJ Collins (13) runs plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State senior defensive back Adrian Maddox (2) works through plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State freshman running back Tanner West (24) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State sophomore running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) makes a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State quarterbacks coach Christian Ellsworth talks to players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State junior tight end Will Anciaux (80) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State sophomore tight end Linkon Cure (0) walks to a position during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State senior running back Jay Harris (9) runs drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State sophomore wide receiver Ben Wheeler (27) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Kansas State defensive players work through drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.1 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State freshman wide receiver Julius Wilson (16) walks in to practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.1 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State freshman wide receiver Julius Wilson (16) walks in to practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.2 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State sophomore offensive lineman Gus Hawkins (70) works on a drill with sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Howard (72) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.3 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State players run to positions during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.4 / 31Why Kansas State QB Avery Johnson decided to stay for Collin KleinKansas State head coach Collin Klein slaps hands with senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.5 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State football players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.6 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State defensive lineman coach Buddy Wyatt watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.7 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State head coach Collin Klein fist bumps associate head and wide recievers coach Thad Ward during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.8 / 31Where Avery Johnson wants to grow in final year at K-State under Collin KleinKansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.9 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State senior quarterback Jacob Knuth (7) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.10 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State tight ends coach Brian Lepak makes calls during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.11 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State defensive backs coach Jeremiah Johnson watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.12 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.13 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State running backs coach Cory Patterson runs with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.14 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State junior offensive lineman Tanner Morley (77) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.15 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State sophomore quarterback Blake Barnett (3) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.16 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State offensive lineman coach Mike Schmidt talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.17 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State sophomore defensive back Koy Beasley (0) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.18 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State head coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.19 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State defensive tackles coach Jordan Dove talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.20 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State redshirt freshman safety RJ Collins (13) runs plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.21 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State senior defensive back Adrian Maddox (2) works through plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.22 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State freshman running back Tanner West (24) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.23 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State sophomore running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) makes a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.24 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State quarterbacks coach Christian Ellsworth talks to players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.25 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.26 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State junior tight end Will Anciaux (80) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.27 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State sophomore tight end Linkon Cure (0) walks to a position during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.28 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State senior running back Jay Harris (9) runs drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.29 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.30 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State sophomore wide receiver Ben Wheeler (27) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.31 / 31A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practiceKansas State defensive players work through drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.A former walk-on at Kansas State, Hecht developed into one of the top centers in the draft. He was the fifth center taken out of the 11 selected.

Carolina entered the draft with Luke Fortner penciled in as its starting center. He appeared in 17 games last season for the New Orleans Saints and started 10. He signed a one-year contract with the Panthers as a free agent, making a $1.2 million base salary.

Cade Mays started at center for the Panthers last year and is now with the Detroit Lions.

Hecht started 25 games for Kansas State over the previous two seasons. He was a two-time All-Big 12 offensive lineman who allowed no sacks in either of his seasons as a starter and didn't commit a penalty as a senior.

Kansas State has developed multiple starting NFL centers over the last decade, including Cody Whitehair and current Dallas Cowboys center Cooper Bebee.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Sam Hecht to compete for Carolina Panthers starting center job