CHARLOTTE – It’s easy to see what the Carolina Panthers like about sixth-round draft pick Lawrence Wilson, a linebacker from Connecticut.
   All you have to do is take a look at his productivity.
   Wilson started 51 games for UConn during his college career and three times posted 100-plus tackle seasons. He finished with 449 tackles, which ranks second in school history and fourth in Big East annals.
   Considered a ballhawk on defense, Wilson forced and recovered six fumbles and had 9.5 career sacks along with five interceptions, most of those coming as a weak side linebacker.

   Wilson has also played middle linebacker, but said “I would say weak side is my strength due to my athletic ability and speed."
   However, that position is currently occupied by Thomas Davis, although he’s an unrestricted free agent.
   Wilson said he will volunteer to do whatever he can just to get on the football field.
   That's all Wilson wanted coming out of high school too, but only Connecticut would give him that chance.
   “I just went out and worked," Wilson said. "Everyone always asks me if I hold any grudges against any schools that overlooked me, but I don’t. I know that everything happens for a reason and I just went up there and worked and focused on what I had to do to help the team win.”
   He joins a Carolina team that is deep at linebacker with Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, James Anderson and Dan Connor.
   “I don’t know anything about the depth chart in Carolina, but I’m sure I will fit in well," Wilson said. "Whatever they need me to do, play special teams or come in on third downs, I’m willing to do it.”
   A native of Tuscaloosa, Wilson said his family missed the brunt of the tornadoes that thrashed the area earlier this week. Still, he said being down there at the time and living through the storm was “scary.”