Who Are the Early Pitt 2025 NFL Draft Prospects?

Pitt has had at least two players selected in the last four NFL Drafts, and at least one player in each of the previous 11 drafts, so the Panthers know what it takes to put players into the professional ranks.

Pitt just had three players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, which was tied for the third most in the ACC this year, and it came off a year in which the Panthers won just three games. That’s 17 players in the last four drafts, including two first round selections.

Pitt has a pretty young roster entering the 2024 season. There are only so many legitimate NFL Draft prospects at this point in the offseason. Of course, it’s likely to change between now and next April.

But it’s never too early to look ahead to what’s to come, especially when it comes to the NFL Draft. There’s a whole industry already looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft.

So, with this year’s draft still in the rearview mirror, let’s take a quick look at who might be a candidate to be drafted next year.

Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Gavin Bartholomew (86) September 9, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Gavin Bartholomew — tight end

2023 stats: 18 receptions for 326 yards (18.1 yards per reception) and a touchdown

Career stats: 67 receptions for 935 yards (14 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns

It’s the end of the line for Bartholomew. He’s had the opportunity to transfer out twice now, I don’t think many Pitt fans would’ve blamed him, but he’s back for one last hurrah.

Bartholomew (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) looks like your prototypical NFL tight end. He’s big, athletic and runs well. He doesn’t offer much in-line blocking, and he’s still expanding his route tree (which is what new tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski said is Bartholomew’s biggest challenge this summer). But it’s hard not to see legitimate potential when looking forward.

He’s a catch-and-run monster. If he can showcase improved route running, his potential is through the roof.

He’s not a perfect prospect, no one is, but if he can put together a strong senior season, there’s no doubt in my mind that he will be invited to the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine and eventually hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Donovan McMillon (3) October 5, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Donovan McMillon — safety

2023 stats: 105 tackles (54 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pass breakup

Career stats: 135 tackles (72 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pass breakup

I don’t think the knock on McMillon is his lack of playing time. It’s his lack of impact plays. He was called upon a lot in the second level last season, which highlights the inadequacies up front, and he delivered.

He had a low missed tackle rate (8.1%, according to PFF) as one of the top run-stoppers on the roster. He tied for the team lead with 32 run stops. He was the first Pitt defender to hit the 100-tackle mark since Jordan Whitehead in 2015, and the only thing holding him back was his lack of “impact” plays.

He’s a big (6-foot-2, 205 pounds), physical defensive back with plenty to give. He’s a hard hitter. But, if the multitude of “takeaway” stickers on his helmet this spring is any indication, he found a way to make a legitimate difference. Turnovers are king.

If McMillon can combine a sturdy run defense with the ability to force turnovers, he will hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft.

Pitt wideout Konata Mumpfield catches a pass against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Mitchell Northam / Pittsburgh Sports Now.)

Konata Mumpfield — wide receiver

2023 stats: 44 receptions for 576 yards (13.1 yards per reception) and five touchdowns

Career stats: 165 receptions for 1,878 yards (11.4 yards per reception) and 14 touchdowns

I thought Mumpfield was going to break out in 2023. He may not be a legitimate threat to stretch the field, but he’s a smooth route runner who can consistently create space.

I don’t know if it’s subpar quarterback play or what, but Mumpfield hasn’t been able to tap into the full potential he’s flashed throughout his career. He’s slim, despite being listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, but he’s always open. And if the spring season is any indication, Mumpfield is primed for a new role in the offense — lining up out wide.

He’s sure handed (one drop in 74 targets in 2023) and consistently creates separation. It may be a case of simply having a quarterback who can get him the football. I’ve been high on Mumpfield since he arrived in Pittsburgh, and that’s not going to stop now.

Mumpfield gets open. Kade Bell has preached all offseason that he gets his wide receivers open. Mumpfield should be open quite a bit this season.

Pittsburgh Panthers running back Rodney Hammond Jr. (6) November 16, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Rodney Hammond Jr. — running back

2023 stats: 118 carries for 547 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and four touchdowns, eight receptions for 60 yards

Career stats: 329 carries for 1,511 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns, 22 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns

Hammond isn’t the home run threat that Izzy Abanikanda was. They’re very different backs. Where Abanikanda takes off vertically, Hammond cuts horizontally.

Hammond — a 5-foot-9, 200-pounder — doesn’t possess true breakaway speed, which may hurt his stock. But his lateral movement, his ability to cut on a dime and force defenders to miss, is hard to find. When given the chance, Hammond has showcased the ability to rack up yards. And touchdowns.

He will need to prove that his durability isn’t a concern, but with a big season, he should be on radars.

Nate Matlack — defensive end

2023 stats: 15 tackles (11 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and a pass breakup

Career stats: 39 tackles (31 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups

This, admittedly, is a projection. I’ve never watched Matlack play live, but he’s a long, athletic edge rusher who hasn’t ever had the opportunity to just rush off the edge.

He played in a system at Kansas State that didn’t align with his strengths, and while he’ll be tasked with a key task in stopping the run, he’ll be able to rush off the edge a whole lot. Dayon Hayes, who is now in Colorado, was primed for a big season. I think Matlack will be able to fill that void.

Matlack, despite his recent arrival in Pittsburgh, is one of the most experienced defensive linemen in the room. If the spring is any indication, he’s done a good job adapting. I’d say he’s even emerging as a leader. If he’s able to put in the 10 tackle for loss, 10 sack season that’s expected at Pitt, he will be on NFL teams’ radars.

Pittsburgh Panthers offensive lineman Branson Taylor (78) September 9, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Branson Taylor — offensive line

2023 stats: 11 games, 11 starts

Career stats: 39 games, 15 starts

Taylor is listed at the same size as now former teammate Matt Goncalves. He has optimal size when it comes to an NFL offensive tackle, and with the adoption of an up-tempo offense, he should leave Pitt as a plus athlete.

It wasn’t an easy season for the Pitt offensive line, and Taylor was forced to bounce around from right to left, but he was easily the best tackle on the roster. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 11 pressures, eight hurries and two sacks in 341 pass-blocking opportunities.

He’s played quite a bit over the last two seasons, well over 1,000 offensive snaps, and he still has two seasons of eligibility remaining. But if he’s able to provide a steady presence at either tackle spot this season, he should find his way onto NFL watch lists.

Honorable Mention: P.J. O’Brien Jr., Ben Sauls