Pitt Football: Top 4 prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft
By David Glancy
After just one Panther was selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, keep an eye on these four Pitt football players on their way to the 2021 NFL Draft.
Pitt entered the 2019 season hoping to build on their Coastal Division championship from the prior season. After a season of ups and downs, the Panthers ended the year at 8-5 coming off a win over Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Pitt returns a majority of its starters on offense, beginning with fourth-year starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett. He was effective under new coordinator Mark Whipple, but hasn’t been able to turn from a game manager to a game changer.
While leading receiver Maurice Ffrench has graduated, Pitt returns a majority of their skill position players, including receiver Taysir Mack. The senior receiver brought in a career high 63 receptions for 736 yards in 2019 and should take over as Pickett’s primary target this season.
Pitt’s offensive line was a major struggle in 2019 as they failed to establish a run game or provide a pocket for Pickett. The Panthers finished the year ranked 118th in rushing, averaging 119.2 yards per game on the ground. Pitt will need the offensive line to take a step forward in order to improve their 8-5 record. Fortunately, the Panthers will have an experienced unit with four starters returning, including star center Jimmy Morrissey.
While running back V’Lique Carter transferred to Albany this spring, Pitt returns leading rusher A.J. Davis and sophomore Vincent Davis. As a true freshman, Vincent Davis averaged 5.1 yards per carry and led the team with five rushing touchdowns. Redshirt freshmen Paris Brown and Daniel Carter along with true freshman Isreal Abanikanda look to improve Pitt’s woeful rushing attack.
While Pitt’s offensive line struggled in 2019, Pitt is bringing back one of the nation’s top defensive lines which will be led by junior tackle Jaylen Twyman, senior ends Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver and junior end Deslin Alexandre.
Pitt brings back plenty of talent and experience to a defense that finished 11th in rushing yards allowed and tied for second in the nation with sacks, trailing only Ohio State despite playing one less game. Experienced linebackers Cam Bright and Phil Campbell III will see a greater role in Randy Bates’ defense after the departures of Saleem Brightwell and Kylan Johnson.
Despite losing corner Dane Jackson to the Buffalo Bills, the Panthers return the majority of their starting defensive backs. Safeties Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin will lead the group and look to improve their draft status. Hamlin a fourth-year starter has had a productive career at Pitt while the talented redshirt junior Paris Ford could declare early if he builds upon a strong first season at safety, where he led the team in tackles and interceptions. Seniors Damarri Mathis and Jason Pinnock will start at cornerback with plenty of depth across underclassmen looking to break into the Pitt defense.
The ACC Coastal once again looks to be wide open and the Panthers should have another shot to return to Charlotte. Pat Narduzzi will return one of the top defenses in the country which should keep the Panthers in any game. If Pitt is going to break back into the top 25 and be seen as a legitimate threat in the ACC, the offensive line will need to turn from a weakness to a strength in 2020. With Clemson off the schedule, each ACC matchup could be seen as a toss-up.
Here are the top draft prospects who could lead the way for Pitt in 2020.