Heinrich Haarberg has yet another chance to show the NFL what he can do. The former Nebraska football star signed with the Carolina Panthers earlier this week as an undrafted free agent. The contract is a stronger opportunity to really compete for a roster spot at tight end with the Panthers, after getting some camp invites but not receiving a contract from them earlier in the spring.
Haarberg, who began his career as a quarterback, transitioned to tight end before his senior season and will now get a chance to continue his development at the position in the NFL. Both the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers listed the former starting quarterback turned pass catcher on rookie minicamp workout lists, but he didn't sign with either team after those invites.
The NFL didn't invite Haarberg to the combine, but he did work out in front of multiple franchises during his Nebraska Pro Day in March. During those sessions, the Kearney native told assembled media that he wanted to show, first and foremost, that no matter what a coach asked of him, he could adapt.
"I hope they take away that I'm a team player and I'm versatile," Haarberg said in March. "Whatever it takes to play at the next level, I'm willing to do. If it's special teams, blocking, throwing, running the ball, I don't care. If they find a strength they think I fit, I'm more than willing to do whatever they ask."
Good evening to everyone, especially Kearney’s own Heinrich Haarberg, who has signed with the Carolina Panthers!
— ESPN Tri-Cities (@ESPN_TriCities) May 20, 2026
From #nebpreps to the NFL! pic.twitter.com/D7Ue8TUQ2j
Heinrich Haarberg gives Nebraska football another NFL story built on versatility
Haarberg weighed in at 238 pounds and set a personal best in the broad jump, hitting 10-feet-8 inches. He ran a range of times in the 40-yard dash from 4.45 to 4.55 seconds. The former quarterback also hit 38 inches in the vertical jump. It's not hard to imagine an NFL team licking its chops at a tight end with even 4.5 speed running routes in its system.
Some scouts believed before the NFL Draft that Haarberg's rather smooth transition from quarterback to tight end could make him an asset to some team as a UDFA. Haarberg even drew comparisons to the league's most famous utility man, Taysom Hill, who also played quarterback in college and has now done a little bit of everything for the New Orleans Saints over several seasons.
Haarberg's journey to the NFL has certainly been an interesting one. He entered the 2023 season as the backup quarterback behind Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims. However, turnovers and injuries saw Sims land on the bench, while the homegrown QB rose in the depth chart. His main talent always lay in his legs, as he completed less than 50% of his passes that season, while throwing for 967 yards, 7 TDs, and 7 INTs. However, he ran for 477 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a career-long 72-yard dash.
The former Nebraska star transitioned to tight end before his senior season and played in all 13 games in 2025, starting one. He had eight catches for 52 yards and one touchdown. He also routinely ran trick plays for the Huskers out of the wildcat and tallied 9 carries for 9 yards.
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