The case can be made — without much argument — that wide receiver Tyler Boyd and defensive end Ejuan Price are Pitt's most important players on either side of the ball. It also wouldn't be an outrageous thought to consider Price and Boyd — first-team All-ACC selections — will pull on their Pitt helmets for the final time Monday in the Military Bowl against Navy. Both players, along with offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty and running back James Conner, applied for an NFL evaluation to determine their status for the 2016 draft. Conner, who is undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkins lymphoma, has said he plans to return to Pitt. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is Jan. 18. Price, a senior from Woodland Hills who has been at Pitt since 2011, is considering petitioning the NCAA for a sixth season after he missed 2½ seasons with injuries.
“It's a conversation Coach (Pat) Narduzzi and I will have after the bowl game,” he said. Price said he sought guidance from the NFL “just to see where I'm at. “You always want to poke around, even if I'm going to stay, you still want to draw information,” Price said. “It's always best to know, always best to get the full opinion.” Price, who led the ACC and is fifth in nation with an average of .96 sacks per game (11 1⁄2 total), said chances of the NCAA granting him another year are “90-some percent.” “But I still want to be prepared.” If Price opts for the NFL, Pitt still will be well-stocked at defensive end for the first time in many years. Transfers Dewayne Hendrix and Allen Edwards opened coaches' eyes at practice this season and could earn starting jobs next season. Plus, sophomore Rori Blair and junior Shakir Soto have been regular starters at defensive end at various times over the past two years.
Boyd, a junior from Clairton, is Pitt's all-time leader in receptions (248) and receiving yards (3,308) in only 37 games. He is a good bet to get drafted in one of the early rounds, if he decides to leave school early. At this point, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay doesn't expect Boyd to be a first-round choice. “He's probably not going to be an elite speed guy,” McShay said. “He's not really a vertical threat. I think he's a solid Day 2 pick and a really good player, but the lack of elite speed and vertical ability will probably keep him out of the first round.” That won't prevent Boyd from making a lot of money in his rookie season. “There's a lot to like about his game,” McShay said. “Defenses added an additional defender or shifted coverages his way and he still was exceptionally productive. “What he does really well: separation skills, running routes and he's very good at finding soft spots in zones. He's very good at ball skills and adjusting to the ball in the air, body control.” Boyd said this week he is close to reaching a decision about next year, but first he wants to focus on the final game of this season.
He said former offensive coordinator Jim Chaney leaving for Georgia has no impact on his decision. “It's a business out here in this college world,” he said. “He could have stayed, and I still could have went (to the NFL).” On the other hand, Boyd said, “He's a great coach. I would have definitely come back and played for him.” Boyd's departure could create a dilemma for Pitt. With 163 receptions for 2,134 yards and 14 touchdowns, he has been about 40 percent of Pitt's passing game the past two seasons.
Among those who could take the baton from Boyd are junior Dontez Ford (23 receptions, 350 yards, two touchdowns) and four-star recruits Juwann Winfree and Ruben Flowers.
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib. http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9656270-74/boyd-pitt-price
“It's a conversation Coach (Pat) Narduzzi and I will have after the bowl game,” he said. Price said he sought guidance from the NFL “just to see where I'm at. “You always want to poke around, even if I'm going to stay, you still want to draw information,” Price said. “It's always best to know, always best to get the full opinion.” Price, who led the ACC and is fifth in nation with an average of .96 sacks per game (11 1⁄2 total), said chances of the NCAA granting him another year are “90-some percent.” “But I still want to be prepared.” If Price opts for the NFL, Pitt still will be well-stocked at defensive end for the first time in many years. Transfers Dewayne Hendrix and Allen Edwards opened coaches' eyes at practice this season and could earn starting jobs next season. Plus, sophomore Rori Blair and junior Shakir Soto have been regular starters at defensive end at various times over the past two years.
Boyd, a junior from Clairton, is Pitt's all-time leader in receptions (248) and receiving yards (3,308) in only 37 games. He is a good bet to get drafted in one of the early rounds, if he decides to leave school early. At this point, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay doesn't expect Boyd to be a first-round choice. “He's probably not going to be an elite speed guy,” McShay said. “He's not really a vertical threat. I think he's a solid Day 2 pick and a really good player, but the lack of elite speed and vertical ability will probably keep him out of the first round.” That won't prevent Boyd from making a lot of money in his rookie season. “There's a lot to like about his game,” McShay said. “Defenses added an additional defender or shifted coverages his way and he still was exceptionally productive. “What he does really well: separation skills, running routes and he's very good at finding soft spots in zones. He's very good at ball skills and adjusting to the ball in the air, body control.” Boyd said this week he is close to reaching a decision about next year, but first he wants to focus on the final game of this season.
He said former offensive coordinator Jim Chaney leaving for Georgia has no impact on his decision. “It's a business out here in this college world,” he said. “He could have stayed, and I still could have went (to the NFL).” On the other hand, Boyd said, “He's a great coach. I would have definitely come back and played for him.” Boyd's departure could create a dilemma for Pitt. With 163 receptions for 2,134 yards and 14 touchdowns, he has been about 40 percent of Pitt's passing game the past two seasons.
Among those who could take the baton from Boyd are junior Dontez Ford (23 receptions, 350 yards, two touchdowns) and four-star recruits Juwann Winfree and Ruben Flowers.
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib. http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9656270-74/boyd-pitt-price
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