Last week, it was announced that Cam Gill, the UFL Defensive Player of the Year, had been signed by the Carolina Panthers, an NFL team he first signed with in the spring of 2024. This is actually Gill's third stint with the team after previously appearing in 10 games for the team. Will the third time be the charm for one of the UFL's premier defensive talents?
UFL To NFL Training Camp Watch: Cam Gill
Although it was his first signing with the Panthers, Gill had previously spent several years in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2020 to 2023. A standout from Wagner, who was twice named the NEC Defensive Player of the Year, ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, Gill's prospect profile noted that he lacked the preferred length and size of the prototypical NFL EDGE at 6'3", 240 lbs.
However, NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein concluded that although "he's a little smaller, he has NFL movement skills, closing speed, and plays with the violence and physicality required of his position."
Gill, An NFL Super Bowl Champ
When Gill wasn’t selected in the draft, he signed with the Buccaneers as a UDFA. He made the 53-man roster out of training camp.
In January of 2021, the Buccaneers played the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, earning an impressive 31-9 victory. After making a tackle for special teams on kickoff with 7:25 to play in the third quarter, Gill memorably combined with Ndamukong Suh to deliver a punishing sack on Patrick Mahomes that led to a forced fumble.
Unfortunately, Gill’s remaining two years with Tampa Bay were marred by injuries. He suffered a calf sprain during training camp in 2021 that led to a stint on injured reserve and caused him to miss the first few weeks of the season.
The following August, during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, Gill suffered a serious foot injury. Diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury, Gill required season-ending surgery. The following season, Gill played primarily on special teams for Tampa Bay, recording 12 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and one quarterback hit. His lone sack was instrumental in the Buccaneers’ 27-17 win over the Chicago Bears.
Gill's Previous Stints With Carolina
Released the following year, Gill signed with the Carolina Panthers in May of 2024. However, he was released with an injury settlement in early September during final roster cutdowns. That fall, Gill spent time on the Detroit Lions practice squad before the Panthers signed him for a second stint. Promoted to the active roster in Week 8, Gill appeared in the Panthers' final 10 games, recording 22 tackles and four quarterback hits. During a 44-38 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, he matched his career-best single-game performance of five tackles.
Gill spent the 2025 NFL season on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. He was signed by the Louisville Kings on February 3, 2026, and became an integral member of Jamie Sharper's defense. He established a new UFL league record with 10.0 sacks during the regular season. During the Kings' Championship postseason, Gill recorded his 11th UFL sack.
Gill Rejoins The Carolina Panthers
On July 23rd, OLB Nic Scourton, the Panthers' 2025 second-round draft pick, suffered a horrific training camp injury that ended his season prematurely. The next day, Gill was resigned by Carolina. In his rookie season, Scourton recorded 47 tackles and 5.0 sacks. He was expected to play a significant role for the Panthers' defense alongside former Philadelphia Eagles free agent Jaelan Phillips, who was signed to a four-year, $120 million contract this season. It is a devastating hardship for a talented young player. Now, Gill is in line to replace Scourton. Who is his competition for the starting assignment?
Gill's OLB Training Camp Competition
The former first-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins, Phillips was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2021. During his first two seasons in Miami, he recorded 103 tackles (60 solo), 15.5 sacks, three PBUs, and a forced fumble. In the spring of 2024, the Dolphins picked up his fifth-year option, but Phillips began the season on the PUP list after suffering a torn ACL. He appeared in only four games that season, recording six tackles (2 solo), 1.0 sack, one TFL, and two PBUs before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Midway through the 2025 season, after starting nine games for Miami, Phillips was traded to the Eagles. In 2025, he had a combined 53 tackles (29 solo), 5.0 sacks, seven TFLs, four PBUs, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
In addition to Phillips and Princely Umanmielen, now in his second year with Carolina, there are a total of five other OLBs on the Panthers' roster currently competing at training camp. Umanmielen was Carolina's third-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games, recording 23 tackles (13 solo), 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Trevis Gibson is a 29-year-old seven-year veteran. In 2025, he appeared in 9 games, recording 11 tackles (6 solo) and 1.0 sack. Nick Hampton, who was signed as a free agent this season, from the Los Angeles Rams, was a fifth-round NFL Draft pick in 2023. He's appeared in 36 games for the Rams, recording 17 tackles (8 solo) and two PBUs. Thomas Incoom has spent the past two seasons in Carolina. Last season, he appeared in all 17 games as a special team player, recording 8 solo tackles. Six-year NFL veteran Patrick Johns II signed with Carolina for the 2025 season after spending four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Last year, he recorded 6 solo tackles, 1.0 sack, and one PBU. Isaiah Smith is a 22-year-old UDFA from SMU.
Gill is extremely grateful to be back with coach Dave Canales and the team. He realizes that he will be competing for snaps against the others in training camp, but unlike the majority of NFL players who spent the offseason resting, relaxing, or rehabbing, Gill is healthy and in peak physical condition. He's coming off an outstanding league-leading season as an elite talent with genuine impact-playmaking ability. Unless one of the other players has an exceptional training camp, look for Gill to be named the starting OLB opposite Phillips.