Lyndon Rowells is taking the proper approach.

”I’ll do anything you need to help make the team better in anyway. I always put team first. There’s no ego. I’m just here to help. Whatever you need, I got you,” the former Humboldt State running back said a month before this past weekend’s NFL draft.

The Carolina Panthers are surely eager to find out what the 5-foot-10, 200-pound tailback has to offer.

Rowells — who racked up a total of 2,725 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground during his two-year Lumberjack career — didn’t get drafted but he still ended up with an NFL squad after the Panthers signed the running back to an undrafted free agent deal.

The team announced Monday Rowells is part of a 12-man undrafted free agent group. One of those dozen signed is also a running back, ex-Tennessee tailback Tauren Poole. Add into the fact Carolina boasts an impressive one-two combination in starters DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, Rowells faces a steep uphill climb to even make the Panthers’ practice squad coming from a Division II program.

The level-headed, team-first attitude needs to in full force when Rowells departs to join other Panthers for the team’s offseason training programs later this month.

Special teams may be Rowells’ ticket onto the Panthers’ roster as reserve tailbacks are usually mainstays in those units. He and his agent, Sherry Cornett, know this.

”Lyndon’s interesting. Coaches, scouts and personnel directors take time to look at his tapes,” Cornett said. “He has a number of skills that catch their attention. They can envision him as a third-down back, or as a punt and kickoff returner. They certainly like the fact that he has great hands.”

Rowells is ready and willing to do what ever coaches ask of him.

”If they need me to play slot, I’ll play slot,” Rowells said. “I like catching the ball anyway. If they want me to play defensive back, I’ll try it out. I’m looking to help the team. Special teams? I’m fine with that.”

Rowells — who played his junior college ball at College of the Redwoods — generated pre-draft interest from a number of teams such as the San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets. He becomes the second Humboldt State player in as many years to sign an undrafted free agent deal as former teammate and center Taylor Boggs inked a contract with the New York Jets last year.