The Pittsburgh Panthers have several players avalaible for the upcoming NFL Draft in April.
While Wide Receiver Devin Street and Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald will stay for their senior season, there are eight seniors who will have the ability to hear their name called on draft day. Let’s take a look at each player.
First and foremost, there’s running back Ray Graham.
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Graham rushed for 1.042 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season. NFL teams know what running backs from Pitt are capable of. Just look at LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis. Not to mention Tony Dorsett. Graham is a quick back who can make cuts on a dime. If I had to compare Graham to a back in the NFL it would have to be McCoy, and that’s not just because they both played at Pitt. They both make quick cuts and are able to lower their shoulder for extra yards. I could see an NFL team taking a chance on Graham despite his hamstring issue and his torn ACL from previous in his career.
Next up is wide receiver Mike Shanahan.
Photo Credit: Post Gazette
Shanahan, no relation to the Redskins coach, nearly doubled his numbers from a season ago. He is a big target with strong hands. He could possibly even play at the tight end position. Shanahan reminds me of Muhsin Muhammed who, in my book, was one of the best possession receivers to ever play the game. Shanahan could be the guy that the coach sends across the middle of the field and tells the quarterback to throw the ball hard to his chest and have faith that he’ll come down with it. An NFL team might pick Shanahan up in the later end of the draft or make a play at him in free agency.
Lastly on my list is defensive back Jarred Holley.
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Holley’s draft stock might have taken a slight hit after not living up to his preseason hype. He was selected to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List as well as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Award Watch List and the All-Big East Preseason Team. Holley can provide consistency for an NFL team struggling to provide depth in their secondary. He could come on and make plays on special teams and maybe even see some field time if he goes to the right team. I think a team will pick him up in the late rounds.
Pittsburgh hopes to put more players into NFL uniforms on draft day than they did last year, which was zero. From 2000-2011, 34 players from Pitt were selected.
Other players entering the draft:
QB – Tino Sunseri
OL – Chris Jacobson
OL – Ryan Turnley
TE – Hubie Graham
DB – Andrew Taglianetti
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