Ikem Ekwonu is no longer a one-man wolf pack.
On Saturday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers added the second North Carolina State University product to their roster—drafting guard Chandler Zavala with the 114th pick of the 2023 NFL draft. And, suffice to say, his new (and former) teammate is touched.
🤝🏾🥲 pic.twitter.com/wIBZrPM49m
— Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu (@BigIck79) April 29, 2023
Ekwonu and Zavala played side-by-side in Raleigh during the 2021 campaign—with the former at left tackle and the latter at left guard. That season, before Ickey became the sixth overall pick of the 2022 draft, saw Chandler play in 339 offensive snaps over five games.
2022 would be a much busier year for Zavala, and not just because Ickey went to Charlotte. He continued to man the left guard spot for 12 outings—allowing just three hurries, one quarterback hit and zero sacks on 422 pass-blocking snaps.
But now, Zavala rejoins his left-hand guy in Ekwonu—who is, obviously, ready to howl with his pal once again.
