Haynes King: The Undrafted Rookie Quarterback Who Refuses to Quit
Haynes King: The Undrafted Rookie Quarterback Who Refuses to Quit
Haynes King went from a state championship hero in Texas to leading Georgia Tech to its best season in years. Now an undrafted NFL rookie with the Carolina Panthers, learn about the quarterback's journey, his NFL prospects, and why scouts are paying attention.
Introduction
When the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft came and went without Haynes King's name being called, most assumed his football story had reached its conclusion. Undrafted free agents face long odds; the numbers are brutal. Most are cut before the season starts. Most never play a single down.
But Haynes King is not most quarterbacks.
The 2025 ACC Offensive Player of the Year signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on a three-year, $3.1 million deal with $250,000 guaranteed—an unusual investment in an undrafted player that signals the Panthers have long-term plans for him . That investment is already looking prescient. After his first preseason action, a standout performance in the Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals, the question is no longer whether King will make the roster, but whether he could challenge for the backup job .
This is the story of Haynes King—a dual-threat quarterback who has been defying expectations his entire life.
Key Facts Table
Who Is Haynes King? A Detailed Profile
Early Life and Texas Roots
Haynes King's football pedigree runs deep. His father, John King, is a Texas high school coaching legend. As head coach at Longview High School, John King built a program that regularly produces FBS stars, including perennial NFL Pro Bowler Trent Williams . His record speaks for itself: 238-51 as head coach, 15 seasons with 10 or more wins, and multiple state finals appearances .
Growing up around the Longview program, Haynes was immersed in football culture from the start. His mother, Jodie King, recalls that even as a toddler, Haynes would don full pads and totter around his dad's locker room, dreaming of his own football glory .
"You're not tough enough to be a Lobo," his parents would tell him as a kid—a challenge meant to motivate rather than discourage .
The State Championship That Changed Everything
Before Haynes King took over as quarterback at Longview, the school hadn't won a state title since 1937. The program had a reputation as the "Chicago Cubs of Texas high school football," as Greg Tepper of Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine put it—a huge, rabid fan base that kept having its heart ripped out .
As a sophomore in 2018, King was unquestionably the best quarterback on the roster, but his father was reluctant to bench the senior starter. "The competition really wasn't that close," said Don Newton, the school's head basketball coach at the time. "The coaches told him we need to make the switch now. And he was reluctant as hell to do that" .
After Haynes took over, the Lobos didn't lose another game until the state semifinals. The next season, in front of 48,421 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, King threw for 423 yards and two touchdowns and added 65 rushing yards and another score, leading Longview to a 35-34 win for the Class 6A Division II state championship .
"Pure catharsis," Tepper said. "That's the loudest I've ever heard AT&T Stadium" .
College Career: From Texas A&M to Georgia Tech
King began his college career at Texas A&M, where he spent three seasons from 2020 to 2022. Under head coach Jimbo Fisher, King's work ethic stood out immediately. "Every drill we did, he won," Fisher said. "Every line we were in, he was at the front. All the clichés about leadership, toughness and setting an example—he lived them daily" .
His teammate Chase Lane noted that King brought the same intensity to everything—from pickup basketball to friendly card games in the hotel the night before a game. "There's got to be times he turns it off," Lane said, "but I've never seen it" .
After transferring to Georgia Tech, King found his stride. In the 2025 season—his senior year—he threw for 2,951 yards and 14 touchdowns against just six interceptions, while adding 953 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground . He led the Yellow Jackets to their best season since 2016, an 8-0 start, and a No. 7 ranking in the AP poll—their highest since 2009 .
The Legend of Haynes King
What distinguishes King from other quarterbacks is not just his dual-threat ability—it's a toughness that his coaches and teammates describe as almost supernatural.
In last year's rivalry game against Georgia, King was playing with a severely injured right shoulder. A month earlier, he'd hurt it so badly he couldn't throw a ball more than a few feet without a tidal wave of pain radiating down his arm. The coaching staff doubted he could even play .
Three days before kickoff, King arrived at practice and uncorked a deep ball. Then another. Then another.
"He's just got an innately high pain tolerance," head coach Brent Key said. "He's able to just block it out. It still hurts, right? But he blocks it" .
King threw 36 times for 303 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 110 yards and three scores on the ground in a 44-42 eight-overtime loss. It was arguably the best performance in a losing effort in Georgia Tech history.
Two days later, Key texted his quarterback asking about his shoulder. King's response perfectly captured his mentality: "Shoulder's fine, Coach. I have been pissing blood for a couple days though" .
The Competitive Fire
King's competitive streak is legendary—so much so that his family had to ground him from board games as a child. "He'd get so mad that he would throw the board or knock over all the dominos," his mother said. "He thought somebody was cheating him" .
That mentality never faded. Late in the third quarter of Georgia Tech's game against Clemson, a trick play failed, resulting in a fumble and giving the ball back to Clemson. King sprinted to the sideline and demanded the headset to speak to his offensive coordinator.
"Put the f---ing ball in my hands," King screamed, "and let's go win the f---ing game" .
On the next drive, King led a 90-yard, 13-play march—five of which were quarterback runs—culminating in a touchdown. On the following drive, he carried it five more times to set up a 55-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.
"I've seen him pissed before, but never that pissed," said QB coach Chris Weinke. "We gave him the ball, and we won the game" .
A Quirky Detail: The Left-Handed Right-Handed QB
Here's something fascinating about Haynes King: He writes lefty, bowls lefty, shoots a basketball lefty. But all 7,715 of his career passing yards in college came from his right hand .
The origin story? When King was 4 years old on Christmas Eve 2005, he was roughhousing with his cousins when his left hand got caught in a treadmill. The family spent Christmas morning in the emergency room . Ever since, King has thrown with his right hand—and he's done it quite well.
NFL Journey: The Carolina Panthers
Signing as an Undrafted Free Agent
When King went undrafted in 2026, the Panthers moved quickly. They signed him to a three-year, $3.1 million contract with $250,000 guaranteed—a rare investment in an undrafted player that shows the organization sees him as more than just a camp arm . Most NFL teams carry more than three quarterbacks during training camp, but after Will Grier retired to become a coach with the Dallas Cowboys, the Panthers went with just three: Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, and King .
The Hall of Fame Game Debut
In his first preseason action against the Arizona Cardinals at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, King made an immediate impression. He threw his first NFL touchdown pass on a 15-yard rollout rip to wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed, finding the left pylon .
"Haynes King has already made his mark," wrote Sports Illustrated's Zach Roberts. "It's only been one drive, but Haynes King looks like he belongs on an NFL field" . Playing with and against third- and fourth-string talent, King looked extremely comfortable running an offense and making plays. The dual-threat athlete was crisp through the air, aggressive, and made plays with his legs when necessary .
The question now is whether the Panthers can afford to put him on the practice squad—where another team would almost certainly poach him .
The Backup Competition
The Panthers' quarterback room has undergone significant changes. They traded Andy Dalton, signed Kenny Pickett to a one-year deal, signed Will Grier, and then added King as a UDFA. Grier has since retired .
Pickett is technically the backup, but his training camp performance has been concerning. According to SI.com, Pickett had a sequence in camp featuring three consecutive sacks, including a fumble after tripping . This has opened the door for King to make a move.
"Pickett is the known commodity, but he's known as a former bust. King is the unknown, but his athleticism is really exciting," Roberts observed . King is younger and much more athletic than Pickett. While he's primarily trying to force the Panthers to carry three quarterbacks, if Pickett continues to struggle, King could seize an elevated role—possibly even the backup job .
What King Brings to the NFL
Head coach Dave Canales has made it clear what he wants from his quarterbacks: "For my life, I just want the quarterback to move the chains and move the team. Whatever that looks like, I'm good with it. If he takes off and runs five times in a row and we're in the red zone knocking on the door, that's a great drive. If he goes five-for-five and completes the ball, finds an explosive and flips the field, I'm good with that too" .
King's dual-threat ability fits perfectly. He's worked hard during camp on his progressions—transitioning from first to second to third reads, checking down, and understanding how plays develop .
At the same time, King has made it clear: He wants to be known as an NFL quarterback, not a gadget player. "I feel like, in my confidence, that I can play quarterback at this level," he said in May. "My first goal is to make it as a quarterback" .
Benefits and Drawbacks of King's Playing Style
Benefits
Dual-Threat Ability: King can beat defenses with his arm and his legs. In his senior season, he rushed for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns, making him a nightmare for defensive coordinators .
Extreme Toughness: King's ability to play through injuries and pain is remarkable. This toughness translates to leadership and resilience that teammates rally around .
Competitive Drive: His refusal to lose, even in practice or card games, speaks to a mentality that can elevate an entire organization .
Football IQ: King has developed rapidly as a passer, improving his completion percentage by getting through progressions smoothly and understanding where everyone is on the field .
Leadership: He was the standard-bearer at Georgia Tech—the team was tough and determined because that's how their quarterback played .
Drawbacks
Undrafted Status: The reality is that most undrafted free agents don't make the final roster, and they certainly don't become franchise quarterbacks. The odds are against him.
Developing as a Passer: While King has improved, he's still developing as a pure passer. The NFL requires pinpoint accuracy and the ability to make throws into tight windows .
Experience Gap: Kenny Pickett has started 27 career NFL games. King is a rookie with zero regular-season experience .
Depth Chart Reality: Bryce Young is the unquestioned starter. Even if King outperforms Pickett, the best-case scenario for 2026 is the backup job.
How King Is Preparing for the NFL
Improving Progressions
King identified his transition through progressions as the area needing the most work. "A lot of it is transitioning through progressions, whether it's second, third, or check down," he said. "You're moving smoothly through those and knowing where everybody's at, how things progress, and how fast things progress as well" .
His goal: "You get better as a quarterback and your completion percentage gets up because you're finding the right guys at the right time and after that, it's just about accuracy" .
Learning from Veterans
King is learning from both Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett in the Panthers' quarterback room, absorbing knowledge from players who have been in the league longer .
Embracing His Role
King has adopted a "go with the flow" mentality, focusing on putting good play on film and letting the chips fall where they may . His pregame rituals and routines are developing as he adjusts to the NFL schedule.
Common Mistakes in Evaluating NFL Quarterbacks
When evaluating quarterbacks like Haynes King, there are several common mistakes:
Mistake #1: Dismissing Undrafted Quarterbacks
Most undrafted QBs don't make it, but that doesn't mean none of them can. Kurt Warner is the most famous example, but there are others—Tony Romo was undrafted, Warren Moon went undrafted, and more recently, Brock Purdy was "Mr. Irrelevant" (the last pick). King's guaranteed contract suggests the Panthers see something special .
Mistake #2: Focusing Only on Arm Talent
Quarterback evaluation is about more than arm strength or completion percentage. It's about leadership, toughness, football IQ, and the ability to make plays when things break down. King checks all these boxes .
Mistake #3: Overvaluing Experience
Kenny Pickett has 27 NFL starts, but he's also a former first-round pick who didn't live up to expectations. Sometimes the unknown is more exciting than the known commodity .
Mistake #4: Underestimating the Mental Game
The mental transition from college to the NFL is immense. Defenses are more complex, and the speed is faster. King's experience navigating difficult situations at Georgia Tech—including playing through injury—has prepared him for this .
Expert Tips for Following an Undrafted Quarterback's Career
Watch the Offseason
Training camp and preseason matter. The Hall of Fame Game performance was encouraging, but consistent improvement throughout camp is more important .
Follow the Depth Chart
For 2026, King is the QB3 behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett. But if Pickett struggles, things could change quickly .
Look at Contract Details
King got $250,000 guaranteed . That's significant for a UDFA and shows the Panthers have genuine interest in developing him.
Listen to Coaches
When a head coach like Dave Canales is enthusiastic about a player—as he is about King—it's worth paying attention .
Consider Scheme Fit
King's dual-threat ability fits the Panthers' offensive philosophy perfectly. Canales has said he wants quarterbacks who can move the chains by any means necessary .
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Haynes King left-handed or right-handed?
Haynes King writes, bowls, and shoots basketball left-handed, but throws a football with his right hand. This stems from a childhood injury to his left hand .
2. Why did Haynes King go undrafted?
Multiple factors likely contributed: He played at Georgia Tech, not a traditional powerhouse; he spent three years at Texas A&M without becoming the clear starter; and the 2026 quarterback class was deep. However, his guaranteed contract suggests teams overlooked his ability.
3. What is Haynes King's contract with the Panthers?
King signed a three-year, $3.1 million deal with $250,000 guaranteed .
4. What were Haynes King's college stats?
At Georgia Tech in 2025, King threw for 2,951 yards and 14 touchdowns against six interceptions, while rushing for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns . He finished his college career with 7,715 passing yards .
5. Who is Haynes King's father?
John King is a Texas high school coaching legend who has been the head coach at Longview High School, winning over 200 games and a state championship with his son as quarterback .
6. What did Haynes King do in the Hall of Fame Game?
In his first preseason action, King threw a touchdown pass to Ja'Seem Reed and played well overall, looking comfortable running the offense and making plays with his legs .
7. Is Haynes King expected to make the Panthers' roster?
After his Hall of Fame Game performance, analysts suggest the Panthers need to roster him—not just place him on the practice squad—because another team would likely sign him away .
8. Can Haynes King challenge Kenny Pickett for the backup job?
Yes, especially if Pickett continues to struggle in training camp. King is younger and more athletic, and his skillset fits the Panthers' offense well .
9. What kind of quarterback is Haynes King?
King is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat defenses with both his arm and his legs. He rushed for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final college season .
10. Why is Haynes King known as being particularly tough?
King played through a severe shoulder injury against Georgia, throwing for 303 yards and running for 110 yards. He also once told his coach he'd been "pissing blood" after a game .
Conclusion
Haynes King's journey is the kind of story that fuels sports dreams. From a Texas high school that hadn't won a state title in 81 years to leading them to glory with his father as head coach. From getting injured as a kid and teaching himself to throw with his non-dominant hand. From being doubted at every level to winning ACC Offensive Player of the Year. From being passed over in the NFL draft to signing a record-setting contract for an undrafted player.
King is not a polished, finished product. He needs to improve his progressions and continue developing as a passer. But the intangibles are there in abundance: toughness, leadership, competitiveness, and a refusal to accept defeat. His Georgia Tech coach Brent Key called him the "standard-bearer" for the program . Former teammate Chase Lane summed it up: "There's got to be times he turns it off, but I've never seen it" .
The Carolina Panthers may have found a hidden gem in Haynes King. The NFL is a league of opportunity, and sometimes all a player needs is a chance. This undrafted rookie from Longview, Texas, is making sure he takes full advantage of his.
This article was last updated in August 2026 and reflects the latest available information on Haynes King's NFL journey with the Carolina Panthers.
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