Rookie Trevin Wallace named defensive play-caller: Panthers trust Kentucky standout with leadership role

The Carolina Panthers defense has become riddled with injuries, which has given former Wildcat and NFL rookie Trevin Wallace a leadership role. He will assume the mantle of calling the plays and setting the defense in the right spots pre-snap.

Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell are both out for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, and Thompson may be down for the whole season after tearing his Achilles. This will give Wallace a clear opportunity to showcase what he can do. He says he will play with confidence and allow others to lean on him. The coaches have told him, "It's your defense now," and asked him to call the plays, set the defense, and make sure he is helping his team read what the offense is throwing at him.

The former Kentucky star has seen his role increase throughout this NFL season. In the first two games, he only played on special teams, but finally, in game three, he was able to record his NFL defensive debut. Now, with only three total tackles on the season, he will need to be poised for an important and decisive role in the middle of that defense.

The good news for Wallace is that he can draw on his experience at Kentucky, where he played against some of the best offenses in the nation in the SEC. He played three years for the Wildcats and recorded 166 tackles and 10 sacks in that time.

According to the Charlotte Observer, "Wallace has seen his snap count gradually increase in four games, and coaches and teammates say he’s shown his immense playmaking potential in all his reps, which the Panthers need." His teammates have shown they trust him and believe in him. Claudin Cherelus, another linebacker for the Panthers who also will need to step up, said, "Trev is way past me at 21. Trev is my guy!"

This is a good week to tune into the Carolina Panthers game and watch one of our stars shine in the NFL.