BYU tight end Isaac Rex would be a solid late-round addition for the Carolina Panthers

The man who holds BYU’s all-time touchdowns record for a tight end could help Bryce Young find paydirt.

Like many of you, in addition to being a Panthers fan I’m also passionate about college football. I’m a lifelong fanatic and graduate of BYU so I have an admitted bias in wanting the Panthers to draft guys coming out of beautiful Provo, Utah.

Because I watch BYU football I’ve amassed a solid track record of predicting which Cougars will succeed in the NFL. In previous years I’ve advocated for the Panthers to draft running back Jamaal Williams (2017), All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner (2018), starting linebacker Sione Takitaki (2019), and the Panthers very own guard Brady Christensen (2021).

Last year I was torn between tackle Blake Freeland and wide receiver Puka Nacua. I went with Freeland as the safe pick because of BYU’s solid track record of producing quality offensive lineman, and he did play in 16 games with nine starts for the Indianapolis Colts last year. But like every other NFL scout, I whiffed on how special Nacua would be in the pros and he set the league on fire last year.

Despite last year’s Puka oversight, here’s my unsolicited advice to GM Dan Morgan and the Panthers front office in the 2024 draft:

TE Isaac Rex – Projected seventh round or UDFA

The Carolina Panthers desperately need tight ends who can produce in the passing game.

Enter Isaac Rex.

Rex is projected to be a seventh round pick or to go undrafted. Despite this low profile I think he can make an NFL roster and even contribute. The Panthers would be wise to take a Day 3 flier on him or immediately sign him as a UDFA if he isn’t drafted.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Rex has a particular knack for finding the end zone, something the Panthers need after Bryce Young threw just 11 touchdowns last year. Rex set BYU’s career touchdowns record for a tight end with 24, so the man knows how to find paydirt. He’s a smart route runner who finds open spaces.

During his BYU career he recorded 112 receptions for 1,385 yards despite being noticeably hampered by a surgically-repaired ankle throughout the entire 2022 season. BYU joined the Big 12 in 2023 and Rex responded with 34 receptions for 422 yards and three touchdowns, making him one of the more productive tight ends in the conference.

Rex has incredible hands. If he can touch it, he’s going to catch it.

If you’ve never seen Isaac in action, take two minutes to watch the highlight video below. His 28-yard touchdown against Oregon, one-handed catch against Arkansas, and red zone score against Oklahoma demonstrate his versatility.

In the highlights against Kansas the commentator refers to Isaac Rex as “Mister Reliable” then later as a “security blanket.” Those are apt descriptions. From the Carolina context, the Panthers tight end room is completely lacking a player who can act as a reliable security blanket for Bryce Young. Isaac Rex can fill that void.

In addition to his receiving abilities, Rex is also a capable and willing blocker. Pro Football Network noted he has “the ability as one of the best blockers in the (2024) class” at his position.

While he wasn’t invited to the Senior Bowl he did play in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl and was selected to the All-West Practice Team. He was also selected for the 2024 Hula Bowl where he pulled in this spectacular one-handed touchdown catch:

Now, Isaac had a disappointing showing at the Big 12 Pro Day. While his bench press of 24 reps was solid (rating an 8.9 on the Relative Athletic Score for a TE), his running times were much, much slower than expected including a 40 time of 4.94 seconds (2.8 RAS). I watched Isaac play in 52 games at BYU and while he never looked particularly fast in live action, he never looked slow, either. He’s not an elite athlete who can stretch the field from the TE spot, but he can move the chains, act as a red zone threat, and block in the run game.

Rex spent five seasons at BYU. He also served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samoa from 2017-2019 so he’s already 25, but that shouldn’t hurt his stock as a late-round pick or UDFA.

The Panthers haven’t had a viable tight end receiving option since Greg Olsen left town. While it’s rare for late-round picks or UDFAs to develop into contributors, BYU’s former tight end has the skills to be the exception.

Isaac Rex might not be the next Puka Nacua, but he’s already a better, more polished receiving tight end than anybody else on Carolina’s roster.

Other BYU notables

OT Kingsley Suamataia. He will be BYU’s third straight left tackle drafted after Brady Christensen (2021) and Blake Freeland (2023). I predict he’ll be a solid, long-term NFL starter. Most mock drafts have him going in the first two rounds but the Panthers are already set at tackle, so he’s not coming to Carolina.

CB Eddie Heckard. After a stellar career at Weber State that culminated with 2022 FCS All-America Second Team honors, Heckard transferred to BYU in 2023 to prove to NFL scouts he could compete at the Power Five level. In his only season in Provo he was named All-Big 12 honorable mention. I thought Heckard was an NFL Combine snub which has kept him under the national radar, but he will be a solid UDFA for any team that signs him.

P Ryan Rehkow. For those of you who love punting, punting, and more punting, remember the name Ryan Rehkow. I’m confident he will be a solid NFL punter for years to come. He has a huge leg and earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2023.