According to the official Atlantic Coast Conference website, former Pack linemen Zach Allen and R.J. Mattes received tryouts with the Panthers and Patriots, respectively. There's been no word yet as to whether either has been extended a free agent contract offer.
I had noted earlier that Mattes had signed as an UDFA with the Redskins. Apparently I made that up. Honestly, I cannot find a shred of evidence that Allen or Mattes were actually in either team's camp other than the article from theACC.com.
Despite my constant haranguing of the Pack OL, I always thought Allen was a player. His season-ending foot injury certainly didn't help matters for the porous Pack line. Allen had not allowed a sack in 2013 before going down in the fifth game of the season against Miami. In fact, he kept the QB clean for 14 straight starts dating back to 2011. Allen, to my untrained eye, also seemed like the most aggressive lineman on run plays, where he looked to get to the next level and deliver a hit.
Allen also showed impressive strength at the combine, registering 32 reps on the bench, the fifth highest total of any lineman (and this despite having been slowed by injury). Allen's foot injury kept him from fully participating in the combine and perhaps is the reason he was not drafted despite receiving a 4th-7th round grade from NFL.com. If he shows he is healthy in Panthers' camp, he has a good chance of sticking.
That is if he is really even there. If anyone has some 411 on these gentlemen, please share it in the comments. And shame on the shoddy coverage by the NFL teams' websites. What else do those guys have to do this time of year but get a head count at rookie camp?