With the news over the last 24 hours of three former Pitt Panthers getting promoted to NFL 53-man rosters, it led me to think about the current number of former Panthers currently playing in the NFL.
Without a doubt, one of the biggest recruiting pitches that Pat Narduzzi and his coaches can honestly sell to high school athletes is the programs ability to properly develop players to play at the next level.
While big crowds and big bowl games are nice, getting properly trained to try and have a professional career should be pretty high on most athletes wish list and Pitt has shown that they can do that.
Here’s our best attempt at putting together a starting offense and defense of former Pitt football alumni.
OFFENSE:
QB: Nate Peterman, Oakland Raiders, 5th round pick in 2017
RB: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals, 2,300 career rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, Pro Bowl selection (2018)
RB: Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons, 5th round pick in 2019, 4 career rushing touchdowns
WR: Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals, 349 career receptions and 19 touchdowns, signed 4-year, $43 million extension in 2019
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, (Free Agent), Future 1st Ballot NFL of Famer
TE: JP Holtz, Chicago Bears, Has been in the league since 2016 and made it as an undrafted free agent, 7 career receptions for 91 yards
OT: Brian O’Neill, Minnesota Vikings, 2nd round pick in 2018, signed 5-year, $92 million extension in 2021
C: Jimmy Morrisey, Houston Texans, 7th Round pick in 2021 of Oakland
OT: Jaryd Jones-Smith, Baltimore Ravens, originally signed with Houston Texans as undrafted free agent in 2018
K: Chris Blewitt, The Washington Football Team, originally signed with Chicago Bears as undrafted free agent in 2017
P: Ryan Winslow, Carolina Panthers, originally signed with Chicago Bears as undrafted free agent in 2018
P: Andy Lee, Arizona Cardinals, Has been in the league since 2004, 3x Pro Bowl selection
DEFENSE:
DE: Jabaal Sheard, Miami Dolphins, 2nd round pick in 2011, 406 career tackles, 53 sacks, Super Bowl Champion
DE: Patrick Jones, Minnesota Vikings, 4th round pick in 2021
DT: Rashad Weaver, Tennessee Titans, 4th round pick in 2021
DT: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, 3x NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 7x Pro Bowl selection, signed 6-year, $135 million extension in 2018
CB: Avonte Maddox, Philadelphia Eagles, 4th round pick in 2018, 122 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1.5 sacks
CB: Dane Jackson, Buffalo Bills, Made the Bills after being a 7th round pick in 2020
S: Jordan Whitehead, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 219 career tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks, Super Bowl Champion (2020)
S: Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills, 6th round pick in 2021
DB: K’Waun Williams, San Francisco 49ers, Has been in NFL since 2014 despite being undrafted, 249 career tackles, 6 sacks and 3 interceptions
DB: Jason Pinnock, NY Jets, 5th round pick in 2021
