When the Carolina Panthers picked their 53-man roster Saturday, it included five names that likely weren't on many projected rosters this spring.

A day after finding out the good news, a few of the five were still in 'this is a bit surreal' mode.

 

G Tyler Larsen

 

"When time came for the meeting, Mr. Gettleman came up and said, 'Congratulations.' It's been a long journey. It was awesome to be able to text my wife and let her know. She was ecstatic. I can't really explain the feeling of how it felt in that moment. Even right now it's kind of hard to believe it's happening."

 

LB Jared Norris

 

"You don't know walking into the building what's going to happen. I'm very humbled by that whole experience of just kind of keeping your head down. But I got to work yesterday, and it was awesome. I'm just very thankful to be a part of this team."

 

LB Jeremy Cash

 

"I went through a lot to get to where I'm at now, so I'm just taking it all in. It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm just looking forward to going out there and competing every day."

 

OT Donald Hawkins

 

"Going from team to team, you kind of (get) lost as a player. Coming in here, (running game coach John) Matsko kind of redefined me, redefined my techniques and taught me the Panther way. He kind of groomed me and I just took it to the game and had success with it."

 

WR Damiere Byrd

 

"I think that during the offseason and everything, starting from last year, all the way up to now, I did everything so that I could make the 53. Knowing what I did in the offseason, knowing what I've done to improve myself, I wasn't too surprised about it."

 

 

Practice Squaders

 

It was this weekend last year when Byrd learned he was being let go. But he was back the next day as a member of the practice squad.

So on Sunday, while Byrd was recalling his rise, the new practice squad receiver had someone to look up to.

 

WR Keyarris Garrett

 

"Coach was just talking about (Byrd) on the field. Like how he was here and how he got put on the practice squad. He just got to working and look at him now. So I'm trying to do the same thing he did. Just keep working and hopefully I'll get my name called so I can move up. Or I'll have to wait to next year in training camp and just go in there and get a spot."

 

CB Zack Sanchez

 

"I'll get a look before anybody else if they want to bring a guy in. That means that I have to be on my job day in and day out and prove to them that I am ready to play when they need me."

 

TE Beau Sandland

 

"Obviously, the best case scenario would've been making the 53, second best would be on the practice squad, and the worst would be to be cut altogether. I'm really excited and honored to still be here. I wanted to be in Carolina. I really like my teammates. I really like the coaches. I really like the city. When they offered me an opportunity to come back on the practice squad, I jumped on it."

 

RB Jalen 'Scoot' Simmons

 

"It's very exciting just to make it. I made it to the hometown team — it's a blessing."