First-round pick Jonathan Stewart could be the Panthers' primary kickoff returner as well as their featured running back.

Asked at the Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheon earlier today who would be the team's kickoff returner this season, Fox said:

"Jonathan Stewart was one of the leaders in the country, as well as leading the Pac-10. He's the guy who'll start off with those duties when we go to (training) camp. Not only is he an outstanding running back, but that was one of the key factors but in our search for a kickoff returner -- that we were able to address that."

Stewart returned 58 kickoffs at Oregon for a 28.69-yard average, with two touchdowns. He ranked third in the Pac-10 last season as a junior.

Fox said he wasn't concerned about one of his top running backs also being exposed to injuries as a kick returner.

At 5-10, 233 pounds, with 4.45 speed in the 40-yard dash, Stewart would be one of the NFL's biggest, most powerful kickoff returners. Fox said there had been big kickoff returners before, but then couldn't name one.

But Panthers.com editor David Monroe thought of a good one -- Herschel Walker.

Carolina ranked 31st in the 32-team NFL in kickoff returns last season, averaging 19.1 yards per return. That's the lowest average in team history, with the second lowest coming the year before (19.4) in 2006.

The Panthers other leading candidates to return kickoffs are reserve cornerback Ricardo Colclough, a free agent signee, and second-year pro Ryne Robinson.

Fox made it clear that third-round pick Charles Godfrey of Iowa made a strong impression in his first minicamp. Godfrey practiced at free safety with the first-team defense after playing cornerback the past two seasons in college.

"He adapted well," Fox said of Godfrey. "It didn't look like it was too big for him. He fit in well. Our players liked him."

Fox said receiver Steve Smith came back to the huddle at one point, saying, "Man, (number) 30 is pretty good."

"Smitty doesn't give out a lot of compliments," Fox said, smiling.