Two More Pitt Players Picked in 2007 NFL Draft

April 29, 2007

Two more players from the University of Pittsburgh went during the second day of the National Football League Draft. Linebackers Clint Session and H.B. Blades, fixtures for the Panthers' defense the last four seasons, were selected in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively.

Session, who tied for the national lead in forced fumbles per game, was selected by the world champion Indianapolis Colts. Blades, a first team All-American as a senior, was picked by the Washington Redskins.

The pair was part of Pitt's starting linebacker unit each of the last three seasons.

Additionally, quarterback Tyler Palko (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints, while tight end Steve Buches (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) signed with the St. Louis Rams.

Session's stock rose considerably after he showcased his talents in this year's Hula Bowl and during the Panthers' March Pro Timing Day workouts. He was Pitt's second-leading tackler with 101 stops last year.

As a senior Session (Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely) forced five fumbles and his .42 forced fumbles per game tied for the national lead. He additionally compiled 12 tackles for losses and had to his credit a 78-yard interception return for a TD (against Virginia).

Session is the first Pitt player to be drafted by Indianapolis since 1990, when defensive end Carnel Smith was an 11^th-round selection.

A participant in this year's Senior Bowl, Blades (Plantation, Fla./Plantation) earned All-America status after being one of college football's most productive defenders in 2006. He compiled an astonishing 147 total tackles, the most by a Pitt player in over two decades, and additionally collected 10.5 tackles for losses, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two blocked field goals.

Blades ranked among the nation's top five defenders in both tackles (12.3 per game) and solo tackles (7.0 per game), while leading the Big East Conference in both of those categories. He additionally was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was a three-time first-team All-Big East selection, both unprecedented achievements at Pitt.

Blades finished with 433 career tackles to rank third all-time at Pitt and fifth in Big East annals.

Interestingly, it had been 26 years since Washington last drafted a player from Pitt. In 1981, the Redskins selected a pair of Panthers offensive linemen, Mark May (1^st round) and Russ Grimm (3^rd). Both went on to be future Pro Bowlers and members of the famed "Hogs" offensive line that fueled the Redskins to two Super Bowl titles during the ensuing decade.

Palko, who also was a 2007 Senior Bowl participant, twice earned second-team All-Big East. He finished his career ranked second all-time at Pitt in total offense (8,429) and TD passes (tied with 66). Palko is third in school annals in career passing yards (8,343).

Pitt's offensive MVP, Palko completed over 68% of his passes (220 of 322) for 2,871 yards with 25 TDs and nine interceptions last year. He ranked fourth nationally in pass efficiency (163.2 rating) and was also listed among the national leaders in points responsible for (tied for 16th, 13.50 ppg), passing yards per game (18th, 239.2 yards/game), total offense (18th, 245.7 yards/game) and total pass yards (22nd, 2,871).

Buches was a four-year contributor at tight end for Pitt, appearing in 45 career games. This past season he was third on the team in TD catches (four) and fourth in receptions (26) and receiving yards (302). Buches played in the inaugural Inta Juice North-South All-Star Classic following his senior season.

Pitt has had at least one player selected in each of the last eight NFL drafts.

On Saturday, Darrelle Revis (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) was selected in the first round by the New York Jets. Revis was the 14^th overall selection in this year's draft and is the 22^nd Pitt player picked in the first round since 1960. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald was Pitt's last first-rounder when he went to the Arizona Cardinals in 2004 with the third overall selection.

A two-time first-team All-Big East selection, Revis had two picks for touchdowns last year and also had a spectacular 73-yard punt return TD against West Virginia that was selected ESPN's College Football Play of the Year.

University of Pittsburgh Athletics

Two More Pitt Players Picked in 2007 NFL Draft

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Players Mentioned

H.B. Blades

Steve Buches

Tyler Palko

Darrelle Revis

Clint Session

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