SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- It used to bother cornerback Melvin White that he wasn't drafted. There was a stigma that seemingly came with it, like he wasn't good enough to be among the top 224 players in the country.

"Ah, man! Your guess is as good as mine," the second-year Carolina Panthers player said Tuesday when asked why he wasn't drafted. "I have moved past it."

He should.

White started the final 10 games last season and is the starting cornerback opposite Antoine Cason after the first week of training camp. His interception and eight-yard return for a touchdown against Atlanta in the season finale began a comeback that gave Carolina the NFC South title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

"I played with a chip on my shoulder," the former Louisiana Lafayette standout said.

Now he's an inspiration to other undrafted rookies trying to make the roster.

"Now they know you could come from being undrafted and work your way all the way up into being a starter," White said.

There is a chance the Panthers will have six undrafted rookies as starters to begin this season -- and in key positions. White is a likely starter at cornerback. Either Byron Bell or Nate Chandler will be the left tackle. The one that loses that job likely will be the right tackle.

Starting outside linebacker Chase Backburn originally was signed as an undrafted rookie by the New York Giants. Starting defensive tackle Colin Cole originally was signed as an undrafted free agent by Minnesota.

Starting fullback Mike Tolbert, an undrafted rookie by San Diego in 2008, made the Pro Bowl last season.

All were instrumental in Carolina going 12-4 last season. In addition to those, undrafted rookie Robert Lester became a starting safety for four games after Charles Godfrey suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the second game.

Garry Williams, an undrafted rookie by Carolina in 2009, started the opener at right guard before a torn ACL ended his season. He also is in the mix to start at tackle this season.

Undrafted free agents make some of the best stories of training camp because they are the underdogs. Those stories include Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, Minnesota Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle, San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon and future Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner.

For the Panthers, running back Fred Lane was one of those stories in 1997. Signed from little-known Lane College, he led the team in rushing with 809 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie.

Linebacker Sam Mills, the only player on Carolina's Wall of Fame, finally made the league with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Montclair State.

What new rags-to-riches story will develop during this camp?

Though the top three wide receivers are a lock -- first-round draft pick Kelvin Benjamin, Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant -- several undrafted free agents have a chance to fill out the rest of that group.

Brenton Bersin, signed as an undrafted free agent by Carolina in 2012, has a chance to become the first player from Wofford to make an NFL roster since team owner Jerry Richardson in 1959.

Marcus Lucas, who played well enough on Tuesday that coach Ron Rivera pointed him out, was signed as an undrafted rookie from Missouri this season.

Philly Brown, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, is in the mix at wide receiver and as a starting kick returner.

"Once you get here, regardless of if you're undrafted or drafted, you've got to work," White said. "When you get here, none of that [where you're drafted] really matters."