Mock Spring Game Draft: PSN Conducts Its Own Draft Ahead of Big Game

There wasn’t a draft for this year’s Blue-Gold Spring Game, not with a new offense vs. defense format, but that’s no fun — the lack of a draft part, of course.

So, Dominic Campbell and I decided it was time to have our own scholarship spring game draft. We didn’t have a draft party down at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, just a FaceTime call, but we had some fun selecting teams.

Each position group was selected one player at a time, by position group, with a coin flip determining who selected first. I did not have the best luck when it came to picking heads or tails, I’ll admit.

Regardless, I’m pleased with how my team turned out, as I know Dom is, too.

The names that are bolded are the projected starters and the numbers next to each number shows where the player was picked in that position group draft.

Karl: Okay, I think that turned out pretty well.

I like my one-two punch of Rodney Hammond Jr. and C’Bo Flemister running behind a very, very big offensive line. Ryan Baer to the left, Matt Goncalves to the right, Ryan Jacoby and Jason Collier Jr. inside and either Terrence Moore or BJ Williams snapping.

Christian Veilleux throwing to Konata Mumpfield, Daejon Reynolds, Karter Johnson (and camp riser Izzy Polk) isn’t a bad sight either.

And I like my offensive picks, but it’s the defense I’m excited about.

We’ve got the veteran duo of Devin Danielson and David Green inside, and the rising duo of Nahki Johnson and Samuel Okunlola outside. That’s what I’m talking about. It was nice to get Bangally Kamara and Solomon DeShields on the outside behind them, and I like the potential of Braylan Lovelace and Kyle Louis.

But I didn’t snag a true Mike linebacker. That’s the only area of regret that I have here — besides letting Isaiah ‘Ghost’ Neal fall to Dom.

A veteran duo at cornerback in M.J. Devonshire and A.J. Woods (with Ryland Gandy waiting in the wings), and I really like the duo of Javon McIntyre and P.J. O’Brien at safety. It’s a very long, athletic defensive unit.

And of course, I’m thrilled to have landed Ben $auls, too.

All in all, very pleased with the haul.

Dom: I lucked out more than Karl did with his picks since he incorrectly picked heads or tails so many times, but I still needed to adjust my roster accordingly.

Phil Jurkovec is not just the starter for my squad, but will also do so for Pitt this upcoming season as head coach Pat Narduzzi all but confirmed.

He’ll have Gavin Bartholomew to throw to and the experienced, physically imposing Daniel Carter to hand it off to.

Jake Kradel will set the tone for a solid offensive line that includes guards in Blake Zubovic and Terrence Enos Jr. I’m interested in seeing how Branson Taylor does at tackle this upcoming season as well.

Bub Means and Myles Alston also will look to step their game up in 2023, and I’m hoping to see improvements on Saturday.

First-year Lamar Seymore is one name that Pitt fans should keep an eye on. He’s been working with the punt return unit this spring, and he’ll look to try and make some plays early on in his college career.

I’m confident in Dayon Hayes to lead my defensive line. A product from the City League out of Westinghouse High School in Homewood, I believe that Hayes is ready to take responsibility from Habakkuk Baldanado and Deslin Alexandre and star at defensive end in 2023.

I’m also excited to see what Elliott Donald can do at defensive tackle this year. He is the nephew of Pitt and NFL star Aaron Donald and possesses great physical attributes that are ready to take over in 2023.

Marquis Williams and Shayne Simon are ready to command the secondary and linebacker cores, respectively. I see great things for Brandon George, as well as Donavon McMillon, who transferred in from Florida.

I didn’t win much in terms of special teams, but Elon transfer Jeff Yurk is another name to watch out for if you’re a Pitt fan. Pitt’s punting unit was terrible last season, and I think that Yurk could potentially provide stability as the starter in 2023.