It took a while before the first wide receiver was taken last night in the first round of NFL draft, but once the seal was broken, the position saw a flurry of activity. Now that the top four receivers are off the board, Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd is squarely in play to be among the next wideouts taken. The likelihood of Boyd coming off the board tonight during Rounds 2 or 3 is extremely high, but it's still unclear which team will grab him. In advance of Friday night’s festivities, here are a ... Read More
Boyd next in line of Pitt receivers to NFL
2002: Antonio Bryant Second Round 63rd overall Cowboys 2004: Fitzgerald drafted First Round 3rd overall Cardinals 2011: Jonathan Baldwin First Round 26th overall Chiefs 2014: Devin Street Fifth Round 146th overall Cowboys 2016: Tyler Boyd ? Round 1 of the NFL draft kicks off Thursday night. Though Pitt’s Tyler Boyd likely won’t have his name called then, he’s a good bet to hear it Friday night during Round 2 or 3. When Boyd does eventually stroll up to the NFL podium, he’ll be walking in ... Read More
Where will Christian Hackenberg be drafted after an up-and-down PSU career?
When Christian Hackenberg arrived in State College, PA, in 2013, the quarterback was already a polarizing figure — a highly touted high school prospect who was seemingly the perfect fit for then-head-coach Bill O’Brien’s pro-style offense. Now, as Hackenberg prepares for this week’s NFL draft, the former Penn State signal caller is just as polarizing, albeit for completely different reasons. The Highs Flash back to 2013. O’Brien, the former offensive coordinator for the New England ... Read More
Pitt could have multiple players selected in NFL Draft
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 ... Read More
Quick hits from Pitt’s spring football game
On Saturday, the general public got its first look at the newest edition of Pitt Panthers football. I was in attendance for Pitt's annual spring game on an absolutely gorgeous, sun-drenched Pittsburgh afternoon. While taking in the action, I had a few quick observations: Stout defense ruled the day Some of the offensive ineptitude can be chalked up to jitters and it being the first live game-action of the season, but the defense was smothering. For much of the first half, the scoreboard ... Read More
Football is back in Happy Valley with the annual Blue-White game Saturday
Football returns to Happy Valley and Beaver Stadium as Penn State hits the field for its annual Blue-White game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The Nittany Lions squad that will tear up the turf Saturday will be much different than the squad that took the field on senior day in the fall for Penn State. Gone is record-setting quarterback and NFL prospect Christian Hackenberg, as well as defensive tackle Austin Johnson, who both left school early to enter the NFL Draft. Gone, too, are seniors ... Read More
Pitt football faces offensive uncertainty
Heading into the Pitt Panthers spring game this Saturday at Heinz Field, there are more questions than answers. An offense hit by the departures of wide receiver Tyler Boyd and tight end JP Holtz, among others, needs new downfield playmakers. There's uncertainty at the tailback position, but the nature of that discrepancy is more generous, as the Panthers boast a full stable of capable backs. The spring game will not bring final resolution to these offensive issues, but it should start to add ... Read More
Pitt’s Elijah Zeise making switch to linebacker
As spring practice continues for the Pat Narduzzi's Pitt Panthers, we get a look at a few guys making position switches. One of those guys could make a big impact in 2016 is sophomore Elijah Zeise. Zeise received a text message from Narduzzi earlier in week as the North Allegheny graduate found out he will be making the switch from wide receiver to linebacker for the upcoming season. “Coach texted me earlier this morning and told me to come in," Zeise said. "Honestly, I thought I ... Read More
Spring practice breeds competition among quarterbacks
The time has come to dust off the helmets and shoulder pads for James Franklin’s Penn State Nittany Lion football team as spring practice begins Friday. After a winter full of workouts and installing a new offense, Franklin and his team are excited about getting on the field. “This is a time of year that we all get excited about,” the third-year head coach said at a press conference on Monday. “ Our guys have done a great job ... we’re not just gaining weight, but the right type of ... Read More
UCF QB Bo Schneider transferring to Pitt
It looks as if the Pitt Panthers will be adding quarterback depth for the future. According to a few reports, Central Florida quarterback Bo Schneider is transferring to Pitt. Pittsburgh Sports Now's Mike Vukovcan and Pittsburgh Post Game's Harry Psaros were among the first to report the news. Schneider, who stands at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, started three games and played in eight total as a true freshman last season for UCF, who finished 0-12. He is a pro-style quarterback and was a ... Read More