PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Opting out of the season to financially help his mom and little brother, Jaylen Twyman wanted to show something in his return to Pittsburgh.
Wednesday at Pitt's Pro Day, Twyman benched 225 pounds, 40 times. Consecutively.
"I was definitely excited," Twyman said. "I was just trying to show all the work that I have been putting in and the pain that I have built up. I was just trying to put my best foot forward. When I got up on the bench, I was reminding everybody that I didn't warm up."
He didn't warm up and put a combined 9,000 pounds over his head. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, nor any of his former teammates were surprised.
"JT was a beast," said offensive lineman Jimmy Morrissey. "No surprise there."
"Hey killed them in 2019," said offensive lineman Bryce Hargrove. "He was only getting bigger, faster and stronger. He's so big and quick."
It's the quickness and agility Twyman tried to show today, saying he's been working out for over 200 straight days in Florida. He wanted to show he would be able to have increased agility even at a higher weight (if that what NFL teams want).
Twyman said he worked out with some good players, but none like his idol and now mentor, Aaron Donald. Who was there for the Pro Day.
"He's been telling me to keep my head down and keep working," Twyman said of advice from Donald. "Since I opted out, I have been around tons of the top NFL guys. The one percenters, but nobody works like him. Nobody is as humble as him. Ever since I've been watching him since I've been 14, I've been trying to mimic everything he does. Which way he ties his shoes and everything. It's definitely paid off."
While he feels like he's better now and has the ability to play up and down the defensive line. It was difficult not to play with his teammates in 2020.
"I probably remember almost every play that happened last season," Twyman said of watching Pitt. "I was talking to those guys every game. I cried the first couple of games. I definitely was missing them a lot. I'm just grateful for their support they gave me when I came back."
Twyman played only 21 games with Pitt, but finished with 13.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Narduzzi said he is a forever Panther and said the scouts took notice when he ran through drills that 'he looked like a football player'.
"They said today was a win," Twyman said of what his agents told him about Wednesday's workout. "I'm excited for draft day. There are a wide range of different ways it could go. I'm just keeping my head down and praying."
