The Panthers have selected defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos out of Penn State at No. 38 overall in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Gross-Matos is the second defensive lineman Carolina has brought in during this year's draft, having selected Derrick Brown at No. 7 overall on Thursday.
A two-year starter, Gross-Matos recorded 19.0 sacks and 37.0 tackles for loss in 38 games. He was a first-team All-Big Ten honoree in both 2018 and 2019, racking up 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a junior this past season.
"I think athletically, that's where you find me being a lot different from a lot of other people I'm being compared against," Gross-Matos said Friday night. "I've just always been a tremendous athlete, and thanks to my hard working, I've been able to improve that. I feel like I'm climbing this upward hill. I'm nowhere near the top still, so there's more work to be done."
Similar to Brown, Gross-Matos has positional flexibility along the defensive line. He's played on both the interior and as an edge rusher, and that versatility falls in line with what head coach Matt Rhule said at the about wanting to have "positionless players" on defense.
"I was asked to move all around the front four, so I have no problem going inside or outside and no issue with it preference-wise," Gross-Matos said. "Wherever they need me to be, that's where I'll be at."
Gross-Matos' journey to the NFL has been one of overcoming tragedy, as he lost his father at two years old during a boating accident and his brother was killed by a lightning strike a few years later.
"It kind of put the rest of my life in perspective," Gross-Matos said. "It's just about taking advantage of every opportunity of every second of every day. Give your best and love the people around you. It's made me and my family a very, very close group. I'm just happy to be in this moment with these people and I can't wait to celebrate."
And as he reaches the league, Gross-Matos said he's looking forward to getting after the famous quarterbacks in the NFC South — particularly the one who recently signed with Tampa Bay.
"I think probably everybody would say the GOAT: Tom Brady. I want to sack Tom Brady," Gross-Matos said. "There's no one else you could really want more than Tom Brady."
View photos of Carolina's second-round pick, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, out of Penn State.
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) lines up during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Idaho in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn St. defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) watches the action from the bench in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Idaho in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) chases Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Nov.16, 2019. Penn State defeated 34-27. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) closes in on Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) for a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. Penn State won 33-28. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) in action against Purdue during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) reacts after getting a sack of the Indiana quarterback during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) reacts after stopping a run by Rutgers running back Raheem Blackshear during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Penn State's Yetur Gross-Matos (99) knocks the ball out of the hand of Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Penn State won 22-10. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) greets fans following an NCAA college football game against Idaho in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) pass rushes against Pittsburgh offensive lineman Carter Warren (77) during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Penn State defeated Pittsburgh 17-10. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State's Yetur Gross-Matos (99) hits Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. Penn State won 45-38 in OT. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) fights off a block by Buffalo offensive lineman Evin Ksiezarczyk (67) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
In this Dec. 28, 2019, photo, Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) faces off against Memphis offensive lineman Obinna Eze (77) while quarterback Brady White (3) looks to pass during the second half of the NCAA Cotton Bowl college football game in Arlington, Texas. Gross-Matos would have liked to be in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 23, 2020, with other NFL draft prospects, but the Penn State defensive lineman is just as comfortable watching it at home. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) tackles Purdue running back King Doerue (22) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Penn State defeated Purdue 35-7. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) lines up against Memphis in the first half of the NCAA Cotton Bowl college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
