PITTSBURGH, PA (PTTP)- The University of Pittsburgh held its Pro Day this past Thursday on March 26. The Pro Day highlights Pitt footballs athletes who have a chance to be drafted into the NFL, or potentially signed to NFL teams and their practice squads in the offseason. The event was held at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Pro Day offers athletes a chance to test their physical skill sets, as well as their positional skills. Testing start at bench press, with Panthers attempting as many possible reps. The athletes then take the Rooney Complex field, in which they test their Vertical Jump, Broad Jump, 40-Yard Dash, Pro Shuttle, Three-Cone Drill, and finishing off with individual position work.
15 Panthers took part in the event: Kavir Bains-Marquez, Rashad Battle, Justin Holmes, Caleb Junko, Kyle Louis, Tamon Lynum, Javon McIntyre, Jake Overman, Jeff Persi, Desmond Reid, Deuce Spann, Blaine Spires, Jalynn Williams, Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr., Joey Zelinsky
NFL scouts will be present at the event, as Pitt has the 5th most players in the NFL out of all ACC teams, and Pat Narduzzi has produced more NFL players than any other ACC coach excluding Clemson’s Dabo Sweeney.
Kyle Louis features as the Panthers top NFL prospect. Louis took part in the NFL combine earlier this year, posting top percentile rankings in both speed and explosiveness according the NFL’s RAS(Relative Athletic Scores). Louis has shifted from a linebacker, and has been testing as a safety, offering versatility that has placed in a position to be drafted on Day Two of the NFL Draft.
Desmond Reid, Pitt’s star running back, who received a multitude of ACC honors as an All-Purpose player, will have the opportunity to test his physical skills and increase his draft stock as both a running back and a receiving option.