Candidate: Jimmy Raye III
Age: 49
Current Position:Vice president of player personnel/assistant general manager for Texans
"I'm extremely eager," Raye said after interviewing with Panthers officials. "I think anybody that's in this position would love the opportunity to be a general manager in this league. I've worked extremely hard to get to this point, and I appreciate the opportunity that the Panthers have afforded to me to come interview for this position. It's a great football team with a great coach and a lot of great players. I'm excited to be here."
Other NFL front office experience:
2013-16: VP of football operations for Colts
2008-12: VP of player personnel for Chargers
2000-07: Director of college scouting for Chargers
1996-99: Scout for Chargers
Additonal Notes:
- Raye was born in Fayetteville, N.C., but finished high school in California. His father, Jimmy Raye II, coached in the NFL for 36 years and is currently senior adviser to NFL executive vice president for football operations Troy Vincent.
- Played wide receiver at San Diego State, catching 111 passes, and played two games as an undrafted rookie for the Los Angeles Rams in 1991.
- Served as offensive quality control coach for the Chiefs in 1995 before getting into administration, beginning with a 17-season stint with the Chargers. His time in San Diego overlapped with Panthers head coach Ron Rivera's time there as an assistant.
- Interviewed for the Texans' general manager post in January and for the 49ers' GM job the year before.
