The University of Pittsburgh has a knack for churning out top flight pro talent. You might recognize all-time greats Dorsett, Marino, Ditka and Curtis Martin, each one hall of famers. Fast forward to today, and you’ll still find Pitt men inhabiting the upper echelon of the NFL – Larry Fitzgerald, Darrelle Revis, LeSean McCoy and Aaron Donald, to name a few. With the 2016 NFL Draft quickly approaching, let’s take a look at the newest Panther alumni hoping to join the elite ranks of the NFL.
Draft Prospects
Tyler Boyd
Boyd declared early for the NFL Draft after his junior season, leaving Pitt the universities all-time leader in both yards and receptions. He’s a solid route runner with superb hands and routinely flashed pro-level foot work along the sidelines. Boyd is electric in the open field, thriving in the return game and even running the football. The main knock on him remains his speed and downfield presence, which might be a bit overblown. He clocked a disappointing 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine, but got that figure down between the upper 4.4’s and lower 4.5’s at his pro day. He’s by far and away the best pro prospect of the group.
Draft Stock: Late second to third Round
J.P. Holtz
Despite modest career totals of 81 receptions for 931 yards and 11 touchdowns in four years, tight end J.P. Holtz has a pretty decent shot to crack the next level. Listed at 6 foot 4 inches and weighing in 238 pounds, Holtz has prototypical NFL size. He’s a good blocker and a sure-handed receiver. Versatility could be key for Holtz, as several teams have expressed interest in him as a fullback in addition to tight end. He’s reportedly visited with the Browns, Chargers, Bears, Bengals and Saints. Positional fluidity, as well as his ability to contribute on special teams, should land him on a roster somewhere. Holtz figures to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent signing.
Draft Stock: Sixth Round to Undrafted Free Agent
Lafayette Pitts
Another highly-touted WPIAL prospect, Pitts was an immediate impact player. He is a rare four-year starter at cornerback, getting the starting nod in 51 of his 52 career games as a Panther. Pitts has impressive athletic ability, running a 4.4 second 40-yard dash at Pitt’s pro day. He plays with attitude and physicality thriving in bump-and-run coverage and against the run. His special teams experience should give his NFL chances a boost. Pitts returned kicks during his freshman and sophomore season, compiling the third-most kickoff return yards in the Big East Conference his freshman year. He also contributed on kick and punt coverage units. If he goes off the board, it will be in the later rounds or sign as an undrafted free agent.
Draft Stock: Seventh Round to Undrafted Free Agent
Unlikely to be Drafted
Artie Rowell
Unfortunately for Rowell, NFL teams usually place very little emphasis on drafting players at the center position. As center, he was focal point of the offensive line, responsible for making quick reads and determinations on line protections. Assuming he can swing to either guard position, his smarts and versatility could garner him a look as an undrafted free agent.
Nicholas Grigsby
Grigsby is coming off his best season as a Panther. He accumulated 66 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks playing the “star” hybrid outside linebacker, the most athletically demanding spot of the position group. At just 6 foot and 220 pounds, Grigsby probably projects better at safety than linebacker in the NFL. He no doubt impressed scouts with his impressive pro day showing. Grigsby ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and pumped out 21 reps on the 225-pound bench press. Taken into comparison against measured NFL Combine performance results, Grigsby’s 36.5-inch vertical leap would’ve ranked him fourth best among all linebackers.
Other Pitt Pro Day Participants
Khaynin Mosley-Smith, Defensive Line
David Murphy, Long Snapper
Darryl Render, Defensive Line
