Chandler

Zavala

The rookie is now the third starting offensive lineman that the Panthers have placed on the IR this season. That potentially leaves 2022 sixth-round pick Cade Mays as the starting left guard for Bryce Young against the Bucs on Sunday.

Zavala was carted off the field on a backboard after sustaining a neck injury in Carolina’s Week 5 game against the Lions. He was held out of Carolina’s Week 6 matchup, but a bye in Week 7 was all he needed to recover from what appeared to be a scary injury. He will return to the starting lineup in Week 8 versus the Texans.

Zavala is being taken to a hospital for evaluation after remaining down on the field for what seemed like an eternity. Thankfully, he was able to give the crowd a thumbs up after being backboarded. The rookie starter went down after a seemingly innocuous collision with Lions DL Isaiah Buggs. Hopefully he is able to avoid a stint on injured reserve.

Zavala (6'4/322) can move and jump and change directions with the best of them, as exemplified by his 9.5 RAS. A 96th percentile vertical and 87th percentile bench shows how his upper and lower body strength in isolation. What makes his ability scary is when he can utilize the two halves together. During his 17 games in Raleigh, he has only allowed 1 QB hit and 7 QB hurries while conceding no sacks. Though he has only demonstrated game tape from the left guard position, Zavala has practiced on the right side before, making the side versatility an option. He has good awareness, adeptly picking up on stunts, ensuring a victory on the play leverage. His power also allows him to hold the advantage in body leverage a vast majority of the time. Like many linemen from lower levels of competition, his biggest returns to development will come in hand techniques. However, there is no reason to believe that Zavala won’t succeed in multiple schemes as he can also move well enough to play out on the edge on pulls. The Wolfpack were a somewhat surprising team in 2022 and Zavala had a huge part to play in contributing to their success.

Zavala (6'5"/325) graduate transferred after four years with Fairmont State before moving to the Wolfpack for the 2021 season. He started five games with them before suffering a season-ending back injury. His original application for a sixth-season based on injury and the COVID year was originally denied, but following appeal that he should have received a medical redshirt his freshman season (which he lost to a knee injury) he was granted the waiver. NC State has high hopes for the season, and getting a starter back will be key for them replacing the impact of Ikem Ekwonu and competing in the ACC.