Carolina Panthers sign UCLA tight end Bryce Pierre as undrafted free agent
UCLA Panthers gather in Charlotte as Bryce Pierre follows Ethan Garbers to the Panthers
The UCLA Bruins had five players selected in the 2025 NFL draft this past weekend. Interestingly, the Bruins had two undrafted players making their way to the same team.
Following the news of former UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers signing with the Carolina Panthers, the NFC South franchise added another Bruin.
According to Aaron Wilson of KRCP 2 Houston, the Panthers signed UCLA tight end Bryce Pierre.
Though a lesser-known Bruin in the 2025 NFL draft, Pierre is a sure-handed tight end who played second fiddle to UCLA standout Moliki Matavao. Having only logged 28 catches for 233 yards between his time at Arizona State and UCLA, Pierre is less of a sure bet at the next level than fellow Bruin-turned-Panther Garbers.
This summer, to make an NFL roster with either the Panthers or another franchise, Pierre must do the dirty work. From sturdy blocking in the run game to stepping up on special teams, Pierre’s effort in camp with the Panthers will determine his success and future in the NFL.
That said, for Pierre to go from a relative unknown in the Big Ten to an NFL player signals that the Panthers believe he has the intangibles to be an NFL pro. If Pierre can continue to showcase his sure hands and reliability in the run game, the former Bruin could make the cut on a Panthers team looking for an improved 2025 season.
The Carolina Panthers came away with eight players during the 2025 NFL draft, with at least one pick in every round but the seventh, and two picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.
One Panthers pick in particular is drawing criticism from USA TODAY’s Ayrton Ostly, who thinks the selection of Georgia running back Trevor Etienne was one of the worst value picks of the entire NFL draft. Ostly isn’t criticizing the player as much as he’s criticizing the Panthers taking a running back as high as they did.
