Pitt Football

Pitt Players Named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist

Published

8 months ago

August 23, 2023

With their propensity of getting their players to the NFL, it’s not surprising that members of the Pitt football team continue to receive invitations to postseason All-Star games. On Wednesday, a number of Pitt players were put on the 11th Annual Senior Bowl Watch List.

The staff at the Senior Bowl has been working since February to identify the top talent for the 2024 NFL Draft. Keep in mind, their list does not include true or redshirt juniors who could become eligible as December 2023 (or earlier) graduates.

This is not the final list of players that will be invited, it’s just the Watch List and official invitations will be extended after the season.

Here are the Pitt Panthers that were put on the early Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List:

Cornerback A.J. Woods: The redshirt senior from Germantown, Maryland will be one of the leaders of Archie Collins’ secondary this season. Woods (5-foot-11, 195-pounds) played in 13 games last season (five starts) collecting 28 tackles, one interception, two tackles for loss and a team-high 13 pass breakups. Woods was named to the All-ACC Academic Football Team.

AJ Woods August 11, 2022 David Hague/PSN

Wide Receiver Bub Means: The redshirt senior from Lovejoy, Ga. could be one of Pitt’s breakout players for the upcoming season. Means transferred to Pitt last season from Louisiana Tech and played in 13 games, making seven starts. Means got better and more comfortable as the season progressed, making 27 catches for 401 yards and two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Bub Means (15) September 1, 2022 David Hague PSN

Quarterback Phil Jurkovec: The redshirt senior from Pine-Richland High School returns home to play his last season of college football. Jurkovec will be counted upon to give the Panthers offense leadership and production from the most important position on the team. A productive 2023 will no doubt get Jurkovec back in the 2024 NFL Draft discussion.

Offensive Tackle Matt Goncalves: The redshirt senior from Manorville, New York will anchor the Pitt offensive line and more importantly, protect the blindside of Jurkovec. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound lineman is already being talked about as someone that could hear his name called on Day 2 of the draft. Goncalves showed his versatility last season, making eight starts at right tackle and five at left tackle, which can no doubt improve his stock.

Kenny Pickett (8) and Matt Goncalves (76) – November 11, 2021 David Hague/PSN

Cornerback M.J. Devonshire: The way things stand now; Devonshire could be Pitt’s top rated NFL Draft prospect. The redshirt senior from Aliquippa played in all 13 games, making nine starts. Aside from being an elite cover man, Devonshire is also an excellent punt returner, returning one for a touchdown against Rhode Island last season. Devonshire recorded 34 tackles, eight pass breakups and three interceptions.