The Panthers announced a number of promotions in their front office this week, per a team announcement. Headlining the changes are Jared Kirksey and Justin Davidov, who were named the directors of player personnel and football administration, respectively.
Kirksey first joined the Panthers in 2021 as their East national scout, likely playing a key role in the team’s selection of offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu with the No. 6 pick in the 2022 draft. He was promoted to assistant director of college scouting in 2022 and director the year after.
The Panthers do not have a sterling draft record in Kirksey’s tenure with zero All-Pro or Pro Bowl selections for players selected in the last four drafts. Day 1 and 2 investments in receivers Jonathan Mingo and Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks, and edge rusher DJ Johnson have not borne fruit. However, 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young has turned a corner towards becoming Carolina’s franchise quarterback, aided greatly by 2025 first-round receiver Tetairoa McMillian, who eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie.
Kirksey got his NFL start in 2008 as a Texans scouting intern focused on college and pro specialists. In 2010, he moved to Tampa Bay, where he remained for three years, followed by eight years in Jacksonville. His father, Larry Kirksey, was a college and pro coach for 39 years, which included an overlapping stint with his son as Houston’s wide receivers coach.
Davidov’s tenure with the Panthers only started in 2022, after nearly four years working for the league office in statistics and player personnel. After four seasons as football administration coordinator in Carolina, Davidov now finds himself at the director level in the team’s administrative department. The former Gettysburg College passer assists the team in all aspects of cap management and contract negotiations.
In addition to Kirksey’s elevation, several other scouts saw upwards movement this week. Both Jordan Trgovac and Blake Still were named personnel scouts responsible for evaluating both college and professional personnel. Trgovac comes into the role after starting her personnel journey with the team as a scouting assistant in 2022 and getting promoted last year to mid-Atlantic area scout. Before that, she got her start in the NFL as a communications assistant with the Chiefs. Still is following in her foot steps as he makes the transition from media to scouting. He’s served the past five years as the team’s football video coordinator.
Formerly serving as scouting assistants, Gabby Weinrich and Chris Smith have been promoted to area scout and pro scout, respectively. Both Weinrich and Smith were hired two years ago, Weinrich after working in player personnel and recruiting at Nebraska and Smith after an assistant director of player personnel role at Temple, player personnel internships with the Chiefs and Dolphins, and a scouting assistant role with the Senior Bowl.
Filling one of the shortly vacated scouting assistant positions will be new hire Cam O’Brien. O’Brien joins formerly promoted football operations intern Joshua Krieger in the new role. Krieger actually has experience with Smith, working previously in his player personnel department for the Owls as a football recruiting assistant.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.