RB Jalen Simmons scoots into NFL with Carolina Panthers

Simmons, the former West Charlotte and South Carolina State running back, learned he had two opportunities to play professionally one from an upstart league in Australia and another from his hometown Carolina Panthers.

Carolina Panthers running back Jalen Simmons carries the ball upfield during a team rookie minicamp practice on Friday.

On Monday, the Panthers announced that Simmons was one of six players signed from the tryout.

Simmons was one of six tryout players from the Panthers’ rookie minicamp the team signed Monday.

By Monday morning, he was changing into workout gear in the Panthers’ locker room alongside star players such as Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert and Cam Newton, whom Simmons called “the man around Charlotte.” Simmons played on West Charlotte’s JV team for most of his freshman season until former West Charlotte coach Mo Flowers made him the starting varsity tailback before the playoffs.

Flowers said Simmons rushed for 100 yards or more in four consecutive playoff games before West Charlotte lost to Independence in the semifinals.

Flowers left the following season for a coaching job in South Carolina, but Simmons continued his tough running.

Simmons is likely a long shot to make the Panthers’ 53-man, regular-season roster, although that’s the goal he set Monday before arriving at Bank of America Stadium for what turned out to be a full, first day.

Simmons also has told Flowers, the new quarterbacks coach at Campbell University, he might pursue a coaching career.