Lakota West graduate Jackson Kuwatch made the Carolina Panthers' 53-man NFL roster on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Kuwatch, a linebacker who wears No. 46, was a seventh-round pick (No. 227 overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft. He beat out fellow linebacker Maema Njongmeta for a spot after an opening was created when Bam Martin-Scott went on injured reserve, according to the Panthers' roster analysis.

The 2021 Lakota West graduate's path from West Chester to the NFL ran through Ohio State and Miami University in Oxford. Kuwatch spent two seasons with the Buckeyes before transferring to Miami, where he played three seasons for the RedHawks, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

In his final season at Miami in 2025, Kuwatch started all 14 games, recording 109 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He earned third-team All-MAC honors.

Those numbers built on a high school career that already stood out. As a Lakota West senior, Kuwatch earned first-team All-Greater Miami Conference honors and was named Southwest Ohio defensive player of the year.

Before the draft, Kuwatch was among players invited to the Bengals' local pro day workout on April 14 at Paycor Stadium. Carolina selected him two weeks later.

Lakota West head coach Tom Bolden praised Kuwatch's focus, determination and work ethic, calling him a "wonderful young man," WCPO reported. Athletic director Scott Kaufman called Kuwatch an incredible leader and said he couldn't be happier for him and his family.

Carlton Gray, the former Lakota West defensive coordinator now at Winton Woods High School, coached Kuwatch for two years. Gray nicknamed him "Cap," short for Captain America.

"He is damn near a perfect kid to coach," Gray told WCPO. "In no way am I surprised to see him overcome the odds against him as being a late-round pick to making the 53-man roster."

ESPN's preseason report card noted Kuwatch had "a quality camp" and was valued on special teams heading into the roster deadline. None of the Panthers' healthy 2026 draft picks were cut during final reductions.

Kuwatch and the Panthers open the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Chicago Bears.