77 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com An island resident will be donning a Carolina Panthers jersey and representing the Lowcountry when the team takes the field next season. Recently drafted University of Georgia offensive tackle and Oceanside Collegiate Academy alum Monroe Freeling moved to Isle of Palms with his family during his sophomore year of high school. Freeling, who the Panthers selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, got to know the island working at Chunky’s Chairs & Umbrellas. Although he only spent three years on IOP before leaving for college, he remembers it as a great experience. The 6-foot-7-inch, 315-pound athlete, who started 18 games at left tackle with the Bulldogs, quipped that while he was a little too big for surfing, he enjoyed other aspects of beach life, including body surfing. “I spent a lot of time in the water,” he recalled. He also liked playing basketball at the rec center. Freeling said he is still processing the night of the draft on April 23 when Commissioner Roger Goodell called his name and he realized his dream of playing in the NFL. “It was a totally surreal reaction,” he reflected. Freeling acknowledged that he wasn’t expecting the Panthers to pick him at 19 so it took him by surprise. “I didn’t think they were taking a tackle. I can’t believe it. I’m so grateful. I’m excited.” He further noted that he and the player whose blind side he will one day be in charge of protecting, Panthers starting quarterback Bryce Young, share the same birthday (July 25), so perhaps he was just destined to play for Carolina after all. His family, which includes three brothers (two older, one younger) couldn’t be any more thrilled that he is BY COLIN MCCANDLESS Staying Close to Home Panthers Draft First OCA alum into NFL our sports
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1