Newly signed Carolina Panthers draft pick Star Lotulelei had quite the weekend after signing with the team last week, as the first round draft pick spent time at the NASCAR race on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, taking part in some race activities at the Coca-Cola 600.
According to Pro Football Talk, Lotulelei met legendary driver Jeff Gordon and also took pictures with "Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson at the track before the event started. Lotulelei was taken by the Panthers with the 14th pick in the first round after dropping a bit due to a heart condition that was found by doctors before the combine, but he was cleared for play during workouts. Lotulelei said that he enjoyed the tailgating and the parties and the atmosphere at the track and he was joined at the race with third-round draft pick Edmund Kugbila from Valdosta State and some of his other teammates.
Lotulelei signed with the Panthers out of Utah after being drafted and likely will start for Ron Rivera on defense after being taken with the 14th pick to help with the rushing defense. During his time in college Lotulelei started all 28 games for Utah and had over 100 tackles and 22.5 tackles for loss, which is one reason why the Panthers drafted him. He also had four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries for the team and he joins guard Edmund Kugbila from Valdosta State, linebacker A.J. Klein from Iowa State and running back Kenjon Barner from Oregon as draft picks that have signed. The team is expected to allow many rookie to compete for starting positions this season after going 7-9 last year.
Last season the team ranked 16th in the league in passing yards with over 230 per game behind quarterback Cam Newton and ranked ninth in the league in rushing with over 130 yards on offense per game. The defense needs to improve after allowing the 13th and 14th ranked passing and rushing offenses in yards per game and the team will open up with the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills before playing the New York Giants on the road before their bye week in Week 4.
"I know the Indy 500 is big and I've been there, but I think this has got it beat right now," said Lotulelei, a native of Tonga. "This right here is a ton of fun. I've got the all-access pass so I'm getting the full tour. And it's been an unbelievable thing."