Photo: Andy Crown/Mississippi State Athletics
Canadian offensive lineman Albert Reese IV has signed an NFL undrafted free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers, he has confirmed on social media.
Reese IV played five collegiate seasons at Mississippi State University, dressing for 48 games and making 22 starts at right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed four sacks and committed four penalties in 2025.
The six-foot-seven, 330-pound blocker recorded a 5.24-second forty-yard dash, 4.95-second shuttle, 8.08-second three-cone drill, 29 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, 28-inch vertical jump, and eight-foot, nine-inch broad jump at Mississippi State’s pro day. His arms measured 34 7/8 inches, which is considered well above average for offensive tackle prospects.
Reese is the son of former defensive lineman Albert Reese III, who played 84 games over five seasons with the Edmonton Elks, recording 184 tackles and 17 sacks. The Grambling State product also played five games for the San Francisco 49ers in 1997.
The native of Edmonton, Alta., initially attended Harry Ainlay High School in his hometown but transferred to Clearwater Academy International in Florida in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He received scholarship offers from Rutgers, Minnesota, Arizona State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, and Maryland before eventually committing to the Bulldogs.
The Panthers went 8-9 last season, losing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Head coach Dave Canales is entering his third year at the helm.
Reese is the fifth-ranked prospect in the upcoming 2026 CFL Draft, but is expected to fall into the mid-rounds due to his NFL opportunity.
The 2026 CFL Draft will run on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
