CHARLOTTE The echoes of fans and fireworks are still ringing through Bank of America Stadium and Uptown Charlotte, excitement over the first home playoff game in 10 years keeping vibes high heading into the offseason. But it is time to turn towards a new year, and with it, a new draft class.

The path to the draft officially kicks off Monday in Mobile, Alabama, with the Panini Senior Bowl. Over 130 of some of the nation's top prospects will descend on the Port City for a week of workouts, practices, and hours of meetings with all 32 teams. They come from a range of schools and cover every position from quarterback to long snapper.

With that in mind, here are five players for Panthers fans to keep an eye on through the week of Senior Bowl practice and in next Saturday's game.

KC Concepcion: WR, Texas A&M

Concepcion is not only a first-round prospect receiver, but a Charlottean as well (starring at Chambers High). He began his career at NC State before finishing off his junior season at Texas A&M. And what a career it was. He won the 2025 Paul Hornung award, annually given to college football's most versatile player. His 2025 season alone, Concepcion had 61 receptions for 919 yards and nine touchdowns, plus 10 rushes for 75 yards and a rushing touchdown.

The receiver also served as the Aggies' punt returner, taking 26 returns for 456 yards, including two for touchdowns.

Concepcion is freaky fast and can stretch the field as such, and he led all SEC wide receivers in receptions resulting in either a first down or a touchdown (48).

Rueben Bain: D, Miami

A 2025 All-American, Bain is one of the best prospects in the upcoming draft, especially in the pass-rusher class. He is also a true junior, but did more in three seasons than some players do in five. He finished his Miami career averaging 40.3 tackles a season, 6.8 sacks a year, and a total of four forced fumbles, plus an interception, all while missing half of the 2024 season with a calf injury.

Bain is 6-3, 275 pounds, with unmatched speed and every move available. His size means he can play across the front, on either edge, and as a hybrid lineman/linebacker. Fresh off the college season, Bain is currently considered a Top 10 pick.

Jalon Kilgore: Safety, South Carolina

A versatile and big-bodied defensive back, Kilgore has both the intangibles and smarts to be an exciting nickel or safety prospect this draft class. He's 6-1 and 211 pounds, and is leaving school as a true junior, meaning he's young with a high ceiling. In his final year with the Gamecocks, Kilgore was named a permanent team captain.

During his three years in Columbia, Kilgore averaged 59 tackles a season, seven passes defensed, and 2.6 interceptions a year. He also served as a punt returner, although that was primarily his freshman year, when he returned nine punts for 49 yards.

Pro Football Focus graded Kilgore's tackling in 2025 at 77.7 overall. Mock drafts largely have him projected as a day-three prospect.

D'Angelo Ponds: DB, Indiana

There is an argument to be made that Indiana doesn't get to the national championship without D'Angelo Ponds. The exciting and dynamic defensive back started the scoring early on in the Hoosiers' semifinal matchup against Oregon, picking off the very first play from scrimmage and returning it for a pick-six. Indiana never trailed.

As a freshman at JMU, he earned All-American honors, then followed Curt Cignetti to Indiana. During his three seasons in college, he averaged 55.67 tackles a year from the corner position, 10.3 passes defensed a year, and 2.3 interceptions. He also finished his college career with two interceptions returned for a touchdown and a blocked punt.

PFF graded Pond's 2025 season as a 90.1 overall, sixth amongst all CBs in college football.

Jude Bowry: OT, Boston College

Maryland's top tackle prospect coming out of high school, Bowry, has spent the past three years with Boston College. He was named the starting left tackle in 2024 and has been there ever since. He's explosive, and pass-rushers have a hard time getting past him, but scouting reports suggest that his arm length could kick him into the interior at the NFL level. It will be interesting to see how coaches and scouts use him during Senior Bowl practices to get a better sense of how the league sees Bowry.