University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers Rank Among Top Six Schools in Players Drafted
4/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Panthers Rank Among Top Six Schools in Players Drafted
4/26/2004
The University of Pittsburgh Panthers had their most selections in the NFL Draft since 1992 with six players picked this past weekend. Overall, 10 players signed with NFL teams as the Panthers had four players ink as free agents on Sunday.
The Panthers' six draft picks were the fourth most of any college team. Ohio State (14 draftees), Miami (nine), Purdue (nine), LSU (seven), Pittsburgh (six) and Arkansas (six) led the way.
Unanimous All-America receiver Larry Fitzgerald was the third overall selection in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals. Fitzgerald marked Pittsburgh's first top-five draft pick since 1992 (DL Sean Gilbert, Los Angeles Rams, No. 3).
In the second round, cornerback Shawntae Spencer and tight end Kris Wilson were selected by the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.
Defensive end Claude Harriott was selected in the fifth round by the Chicago Bears, punter Andy Lee was chosen by the 49ers in the sixth and tailback Brandon Miree was a seventh-round pick by the Denver Broncos.
Free-agent signings included linebacker Lewis Moore (New York Giants), offensive lineman Matt Morgan (St. Louis Rams), fullback Lousaka Polite (Dallas Cowboys), quarterback Rod Rutherford (Carolina Panthers).
The Panthers had three players chosen in the initial two rounds for the first time since 1983. That year, three Pittsburgh players went in the first round ' Jim Covert, Tim Lewis and Dan Marino.
While six players marked a 12-year best for Pittsburgh, the all-time school record stands at 12 players selected in 1981.
