PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He only had 15 catches in his one season with the Panthers, but averaged 22.5 per reception. If the limited numbers kept NFL teams from looking at wide receiver Deuce Spann, the Pitt Pro Day may get more eyes on him.
The 6’3”, 201-pound Spann measured to a 80.5” wing span at the UPMC Rooney facility on the South Side and then hit a 38” vertical jump and the times for his 40-yard dash ran everywhere from 4.36 to 4.47.
“I’m good with the numbers, but felt I could have done way better on the vert,” Spann said Thursday. “I was jumping 40”, I was trying to get past 40”. I tried my best. I feel like I did good.”
“I definitely think I opened some eyes today.”
And he predicted it, the receiver said he’s been training hard since January 1.
“Big shout out to Deuce, he’s a quiet receiver,” said Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis. “A lot of people don’t know about him. I saw him after the season ended I was like ‘cuz, how are you doing? What are you about to do’? He was like ‘the world is about to know about me’.”
“He called it. He showcased some numbers, I’m proud about him.”
2025 was Spann’s only season with the Panthers. He had two years at Illinois before three years at Florida State. He said he will play special teams or do whatever for any NFL team that takes a chance on him, and every team was represented at Pitt Thursday.
“I take football very seriously,” Spann said. “Today was the day I really wanted to showcase what I could do to NFL scouts so I would have the opportunity to achieve my dream.”
Defensive lineman Joey Zelinsky (6’3”, 245 pounds) topped the Panthers on the 225-pound bench press, completing 26 reps.
“It’s a lot of work,” Zelinsky said. “Shout out to Coach Showers and the group I was with, waking up in the morning, I already miss it. Six of us in there at 6a getting ourselves ready for the moment, it’s really special.”
His teammates surrounded him as he pushed through a couple more, but only the 26 were official and that was one better than TE Jake Overman.
Other bests
- Broad jump—Safety Javon McIntyre 10’8”
- 20-shuttle—Corner Kavir Bains-Marquez 4.08
- 3-cone—Corner Kavir Bains-Marquest 6.95
Other notes
- LB Kyle Louis measured 5’11”, 224 pounds with a 74.25” wingspan. He participated in linebacker/safety drills along with benching 225, 20 times.
- RB Desmond Reid (5’6”, 176 pounds)-said he put on 15 pounds of muscle to prepare for the Pro Day and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash with a 35” vertical, 4.27 20-shuttle and 7.2 three-cone
- OL Jeff Persi measured the largest 6’7”, 312 pounds
- Pitt Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett was in attendance
- Along with all 32 NFL teams, so was a representative from the Canadian Football League.
