Seven Pitt players have received invitations to attend the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Three players, senior cornerback Avonte Maddox, wide receiver Jester Weah and punter Ryan Winslow had received invites right after Pitt’s season ended.
They’ll be joined by fellow senior offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith and the three Pitt juniors that declared early for the NFL Draft: wide receiver/kick returner Quadree Henderson, offensive tackle Brian O’Neill and safety Jordan Whitehead.
Pitt’s seven invitees are tied for the third-most in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with only Miami (8) and Florida State (9) having more.
Here’s the workout schedule for the Panthers:
Feb 27: Jones-Smith, O’Neill, Winslow team interviews.
Feb 28: Jones-Smith, O’Neill, Winslow measurements. Henderson, Weah team interviews.
Mar 1: Winslow on-field workout. Jones-Smith, O’Neill bench press, media interviews. Henderson, Weah measurements.
Mar 2: Winslow, Jones-Smith, O’Neill timing, stations and skill drills. Henderson, Weah bench press, media interviews. Maddox, Whitehead team interviews.
Mar 3: Henderson, Weah timing, stations and skill drills. Maddox, Whitehead measurements.
Mar 4: Maddox, Whitehead bench press, media interviews.
Mar 5: Maddox, Whitehead timing, stations and skill drills.
Four of the NFL-bound Panthers are coming off an appearance in a postseason college all-star game. O’Neill played in the Senior Bowl, Jones-Smith, Maddox and Weah played in the East-West Shrine game. Offensive linemen Brandon Hodges and Alex Officer played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl but were not selected to participate in the combine.
Those players and other draft-eligible Pitt seniors will likely participate in the Panthers’ pro timing day in late March.
The seven invitees are one more than the Panthers had in 2017, when Adam Bisnowaty, James Conner, Dorian Johnson, Scott Orndoff, Nathan Peterman and Ejuan Price represented the Panthers. All six of those players ended up spending time in the NFL last season.
Bisnowaty was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants, spend most of the season on the practice squad, but was promoted to the active roster on Dec. 30 and started New York’s final game.
Conner was drafted in the third round by the Steelers and had 144 yards on 32 carries (4.5 average) before a season-ending knee injury.
Johnson was drafted in the fourth round and spent time with the Houston Texans and on the practice squads of the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. He has a contract with the Panthers for next season.
Orndoff spent time with the Steelers, Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
Peterman was drafted in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills and made one start while playing in five games. He had 252 yards on 24-of-49 passing, two touchdown and five interceptions.
Price was drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Rams. He played in one game for the Rams.
They were joined in the NFL last season by linebacker Bam Bradley, wide receiver Dontez Ford, linebacker Matt Galambos, defensive tackle Tyrique Jarrett, cornerback Ryan Lewis and defensive lineman Shakir Soto.
