Pitt had 7 players at the NFL Scouting Combine this year and 6 last year; that's a pretty solid run. But will it continue in 2019?
I discussed this in the 10 Thoughts column (item No. 7 at this link: https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/news/10-thoughts-from-the-weekend-373) but I thought it merited further discussion here. As it stands, Pitt will have 45 draft-eligible players on the 2018 roster. Obviously most of them are third-year players who will not be declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft.
There are 17 seniors, though:
George Aston
Darrin Hall
Qadree Ollison
Rafael Araujo-Lopes
Alex Bookser
Connor Dintino
Mike Herndon
Stefano Millin
James Folston
Dewayne Hendrix
Shane Roy
Oluwaseun Idowu
Jalen Williams
Quintin Wirginis
Elijah Zeise
Philllipie Motley
Dennis Briggs
So of those 17 guys, who jumps out at you as a Combine invite? I would say Alex Bookser is probably No. 1 on the list, and as long as he's healthy and even semi-productive, George Aston is probably there, too. Barring a complete fiasco, I suspect Stefano Millin will get an invite.
That's three. If Darrin Hall is productive this season for more than three games, I could see him in Indianapolis. And Dewayne Hendrix, too; Pitt needs him to have a breakout campaign as a senior, and if he does that, he'll probably get invited.
So we're looking at maybe five? Who else from that list sticks out? One of the linebackers? Mike Herndon if he is a full-season starter?
I'm thinking it might be tough for Pitt might not match the 2018 total at next year's Combine. Then again, this year's seven were boosted by three underclassmen; can the current crop of underclassmen provide that kind of boost?
Here's the Scholarship Board:
https://pittsburgh.forums.rivals.com/threads/the-scholarship-board-updated-2-8-2018.126183/
Do you see 3 underclassmen who could leave early? Do you see 2 or even 1? I suppose if Dane Jackson follows up last year with another strong season he could be a candidate, but he would probably have to be really good - even better than he was in 2017. I don't see many other standout options unless one of the receivers really breaks out in 2018.
So what's your call? What Pitt players go to the Combine next year?
I discussed this in the 10 Thoughts column (item No. 7 at this link: https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/news/10-thoughts-from-the-weekend-373) but I thought it merited further discussion here. As it stands, Pitt will have 45 draft-eligible players on the 2018 roster. Obviously most of them are third-year players who will not be declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft.
There are 17 seniors, though:
George Aston
Darrin Hall
Qadree Ollison
Rafael Araujo-Lopes
Alex Bookser
Connor Dintino
Mike Herndon
Stefano Millin
James Folston
Dewayne Hendrix
Shane Roy
Oluwaseun Idowu
Jalen Williams
Quintin Wirginis
Elijah Zeise
Philllipie Motley
Dennis Briggs
So of those 17 guys, who jumps out at you as a Combine invite? I would say Alex Bookser is probably No. 1 on the list, and as long as he's healthy and even semi-productive, George Aston is probably there, too. Barring a complete fiasco, I suspect Stefano Millin will get an invite.
That's three. If Darrin Hall is productive this season for more than three games, I could see him in Indianapolis. And Dewayne Hendrix, too; Pitt needs him to have a breakout campaign as a senior, and if he does that, he'll probably get invited.
So we're looking at maybe five? Who else from that list sticks out? One of the linebackers? Mike Herndon if he is a full-season starter?
I'm thinking it might be tough for Pitt might not match the 2018 total at next year's Combine. Then again, this year's seven were boosted by three underclassmen; can the current crop of underclassmen provide that kind of boost?
Here's the Scholarship Board:
https://pittsburgh.forums.rivals.com/threads/the-scholarship-board-updated-2-8-2018.126183/
Do you see 3 underclassmen who could leave early? Do you see 2 or even 1? I suppose if Dane Jackson follows up last year with another strong season he could be a candidate, but he would probably have to be really good - even better than he was in 2017. I don't see many other standout options unless one of the receivers really breaks out in 2018.
So what's your call? What Pitt players go to the Combine next year?
