Pitt football has sent nine defensive backs to the NFL Draft over the past seven years and the Panthers will have another pair of safeties preparing for the draft.
Senior P.J. O’Brien announced on Sunday that he is declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, joining fellow senior safety Donovan McMillon.
“Above all, I would like to give all glory and praise to God,” O’Brien wrote in a post on X. “Since I was a little kid, my dream was to play in the NFL. Thank you God for putting me in position and giving me the opportunity to achieve my dream.
“I would like to give my family and friends an incredible shoutout, always making sure your baby boy forever straight! This journey is impossible without ya’ll! Your support during those late nights, early mornings on the grind and the sacrifices you made to assure that my head was always on straight. I swear it gets greater later.
“From the Villa to Pittsburgh! Thank you to coach Narduzzi and the entire Pitt football staff for the tremendous impact you have had on my life and for giving me the chance to compete at a high level.
“With that being said, I am highly blessed to announce that I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.”
O’Brien played in all 13 games this season for Pitt with three starts. He finished the season with 33 total tackles, two pass breakups and one interception coming against Syracuse.
In his final game as a Panther against Toledo, O’Brien recorded a tackle, along with one fumble recovery.
The 6-foot, 185-pounder played in 11 games during the 2023 season, racking up 41 tackles with three interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
In his first two seasons with the Panthers, he totaled 25 games of action serving primarily on special teams and as a reserve safety, totaling 29 tackles.
