PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt may have its highest number of NFL Draft picks since 2004 this year. The Panthers are holding their Pro Day at the UPMC Rooney Complex on the South Side on Wednesday.
It's been 17 years since the Panthers had as many as a half dozen players drafted, that draft included long-time NFLers Larry Fitzgerald and Andy Lee. This year six Panthers invited to the NFL Combine in Indy, which is virtual this year.
There is variety to this draft class with a pair of defensive ends likely to go before the second round ends. There is a chance either Patrick Jones or Rashad Weaver are selected in the first round. Both are consensus All-Americans and most know their stats of combining for 27.5 TFL in 2020. Little doubt they will go early.
Defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman named second team All-American after 12 TFL and a team leading 10.5 sacks as a sophomore before opting out of the 2020 season. His size (6'2", 290 pounds), work ethic and production have drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald. There are several full, partial or complete opt-out players and it's really unknown how that will impact their draft status.
Hard-hitting, 6'0", 190 pound safety Paris Ford opted out late and was a huge recruit out of high school. Ford led in tackles and interceptions his sophomore year while second in pass breakups and named first team All-ACC. Played in 7 games in 2020 with 3 interceptions and twice had 8 tackle games as a junior earning second team All-ACC.
Two of the last three seasons, safety Damar Hamlin led the team in tackles, finishing second the other year. Hamlin finished with 290 career tackles, 192 were solo and 6 career interceptions. Voted captain by his teammates, the 6'1", 195 pound defensive back had an interception off a deflection in the Senior Bowl. Sports Illustrated called Hamlin one of the notable positive takeaways from the week.
Center Jimmy Morrissey (6'3", 305 pounds) counted out since he was a teenager. He continues to be. The three-time All-ACC center could be an intriguing late round selection. Winning the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy as the best player to start his career as a walk-on, Morrissey started 47 games at Pitt.
Other players who will participate on Wednesday who have a shot to get free agent opportunities if they aren't drafted.
· Kicker Alex Kessman—Pitt's second all-time leading kick scorer and third highest scorer overall. Kessman has the most 50+ yard FG in Pitt history and his 12 for 18 from 50+ is a NCAA accuracy record.
· Offensive lineman Bryce Hargrove (6'4", 320 pounds) started his last 27 games at left guard, named Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2020
· Corner Jason Pinnock (6'1", 205 pounds) played in 43 career games with 25 passes defended and 6 intercepted
· Receiver DJ Turner who was first team All-ACC as a returner and had a couple of huge games at receiver
There are a few players who last played two years ago who are hoping for a second opportunity to get a free agent tryout.
· Defensive lineman Amir Watts (6'3", 295 pounds) was Honorable Mention All-ACC after 7 TFL in 2019. Watts played 46 games in his Pitt career.
· Linebacker Saleem Brightwell (6', 230 pounds), known for his clutch fourth quarter interception of Deshaun Watson in Pitt's win over Clemson in 2016. Brightwell played in 49 games at linebacker with 12.5 TFL.
· Wide receiver Aaron Mathews (6'4", 220 pounds) threw a touchdown pass to Kenny Pickett to beat Central Florida, excelled on special teams during his Panthers career
· QB Jeff George, Jr (6'3", 220 pounds) threw 3 passes in his brief Pitt career, completed 48% of his passes at Illinois for 1,743 yards with 11 TD and 15 INT.
The three day NFL Draft starts Thursday, April 29.
