Haynes King is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, where he wears No. 16 as a rookie. The former Texas A&M and Georgia Tech quarterback went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft before signing with Carolina and earning a place on the active roster. At 25, King currently sits third on the Panthers’ quarterback depth chart behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett and has been designated as the emergency third quarterback on game days.
His route to the NFL was not straightforward. King dealt with injuries early in college, transferred to Georgia Tech, developed into the 2025 ACC Player of the Year and then used an impressive NFL preseason debut to strengthen his case for a roster spot.
Quick Bio: Haynes King
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Haynes King |
| Date of Birth | January 9, 2001 |
| Age | 25 |
| Hometown | Longview, Texas |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Current Team | Carolina Panthers |
| Jersey Number | 16 |
| Panthers Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Panthers Weight | 215 lbs |
| Colleges | Texas A&M, Georgia Tech |
| NFL Draft | Undrafted in 2026 |
| NFL Experience | Rookie |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
King’s January 9, 2001 birth date is listed by Pro Football Reference, while the Panthers currently list him as 25 years old.
Who Is Haynes King?
Haynes King is a dual-threat quarterback from Longview, Texas. He first attracted national attention as a highly rated high school prospect at Longview High School, where his father, John King, coached him.
Texas A&M signed King out of high school. He later transferred to Georgia Tech, where his combination of passing and rushing ability became a central part of the Yellow Jackets’ offense.
King’s college career ultimately ended on a high note. Georgia Tech named him among the most decorated players in program history after his 2025 season, when he won both ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year. He also finished 10th in Heisman Trophy voting.
How Tall Is Haynes King?
The Carolina Panthers list Haynes King at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. However, NFL.com lists him at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds.
That small discrepancy is worth noting rather than presenting either measurement as universally agreed upon. Official football listings can differ because measurements may come from different stages of a player’s college, pre-draft or professional career.
For a current Panthers profile, 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds is the team’s official listing.
Haynes King’s Parents and Family
Haynes King’s parents are John and Jodie King. His father has had a particularly important influence on his football development because John coached him at Longview High School.
King played quarterback under his father and helped Longview capture a state championship in 2018, the program’s first in 81 years. His mother, Jodie, has also been publicly documented as part of the family’s support system.
Haynes also has a sister, Steelie King, who competed in gymnastics. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution profiled John, Jodie and Steelie while covering the family behind King’s college football career.
From Texas A&M to Georgia Tech
King began his college career at Texas A&M, appearing in games from 2020 through 2022. He became the Aggies’ starting quarterback but had portions of his early career disrupted by injury. Texas A&M’s official biography notes that his 2021 season ended after an injury suffered during the Colorado game.
He transferred to Georgia Tech in January 2023 and won the starting quarterback job.
The move gave King an opportunity to establish himself over multiple seasons. By 2025, he had become one of the most prominent quarterbacks in the ACC.
His final season produced the strongest individual honors of his career. Georgia Tech reported that King accounted for 3,619 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns through 11 games when he was named the conference’s Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year.
Was Haynes King Drafted?
No. Haynes King was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Instead, the Carolina Panthers signed him as an undrafted free agent after the draft. Carolina officially announced King as one of 10 undrafted rookies signed in May 2026.
Going undrafted did not prevent him from earning a roster spot. King spent the summer competing in Carolina and eventually survived the reduction to the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster.
His Panthers Preseason Breakthrough
King produced his most notable professional performance in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals.
He completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed three times for 39 yards and scored a game-winning rushing touchdown as Carolina won 33-30.
The performance demonstrated the same dual-threat element that defined much of his Georgia Tech career.
King suffered a hamstring injury on the game-winning run and subsequently missed preseason action. Carolina continued to develop him, however, and chose to carry him as its third quarterback.
By late September, King was practicing with the team, and his current Panthers role is not being described as an injury absence.
Haynes King’s Current Panthers Role
As of September 29, 2026, Carolina’s official depth chart lists:
QB1: Bryce Young
QB2: Kenny Pickett
QB3: Haynes King
King remains on the active roster, but Carolina has used him as its emergency third quarterback. He was listed in that role for the Panthers’ Week 3 game against Cleveland on September 27.
That designation matters. It does not mean King is on the practice squad or has been released. He remains an active-roster rookie who is developing behind Carolina’s first two quarterbacks.
Haynes King Contract and Salary
According to Over The Cap, King signed a three-year contract worth $3.11 million with Carolina in May 2026. The database lists $210,000 in guarantees and a $10,000 signing bonus.
The $3.11 million figure is the potential total value of the three-year deal, not his annual salary.
As with many undrafted rookie contracts, a significant portion of the overall value is not guaranteed. Contract figures should therefore be separated from guaranteed money and actual career earnings rather than treated as the same thing.
Is Haynes King Married or Dating?
King’s current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed through reliable sources reviewed for this profile.
There is no reason to assign him a wife or girlfriend based on fan speculation, social-media activity or low-quality biography pages. Until King or a credible source publicly establishes his relationship status, it is more accurate to leave that part of his private life unconfirmed.
Conclusion
King’s path from Longview to Texas A&M, Georgia Tech and finally an NFL roster has required several resets. His 2025 college breakout and strong first NFL preseason appearance helped turn an undrafted opportunity into an active-roster position with Carolina. For now, his next stage is development behind Young and Pickett while he works toward his first meaningful regular-season NFL snaps.
FAQs
How old is Haynes King?
Haynes King is 25 years old. He was born on January 9, 2001, and is from Longview, Texas.
What NFL team does Haynes King play for?
King plays quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. He is listed on Carolina’s active roster as No. 16.
What number is Haynes King?
Haynes King wears jersey No. 16 for the Panthers. He wore No. 10 during his later college career at Georgia Tech.
Did Haynes King get drafted?
No. King went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and then signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent.
Where did Haynes King go to college?
King played first at Texas A&M before transferring to Georgia Tech, where he played from 2023 through 2025.
Who is Haynes King’s father?
His father is John King, the longtime head football coach at Longview High School in Texas. John also coached Haynes during his high school career.
Is Haynes King the Panthers’ backup quarterback?
Not currently. Carolina’s official depth chart lists Bryce Young first, Kenny Pickett second and King third. King has been designated as the Panthers’ emergency third quarterback on game days.
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