University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Tight Ends Selected in 2010 NFL Draft
4/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 24, 2010
Pitt had two players selected in the 2010 NFL Draft on Saturday and three additional players signed free agent contracts.
Tight ends Nate Byham and Dorin Dickerson were selected by the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans, respectively. Byham was a sixth-round pick, while Dickerson was chosen in the seventh.
It marked the 11th consecutive year a Pitt player was chosen in the NFL Draft.
Dickerson (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) became the first Pitt tight end to be named first team All-America (Football Writers Association) since Mike Ditka in 1960. A first-team All-Big East selection and a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2009, Dickerson pulled in 49 catches for 529 yards in 2009 and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. His 10 touchdowns set a Pitt single-season record for a tight end.
Byham (Franklin, Pa./Franklin), a three-year starter who played in 48 games at tight end for Pitt, was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2009, becoming the first tight end in Pitt history to earn All-Big East accolades twice in a career (he was a first-team selection in 2008). Selected to compete in the prestigious East-West Shrine Game, he compiled 10 receptions for 108 yards (10.8 avg.) on the year and was an integral part of Pitt's prolific rushing attack in 2009. He tallied 47 catches for 612 yards and three touchdowns during his career at Pitt.
The Panthers had three players sign free agent contracts late Saturday, including cornerback Aaron Berry (Detroit Lions), offensive lineman John Malecki (Tennessee Titans) and defensive lineman Mick Williams (New York Jets). Quarterback Bill Stull signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Berry (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) finished his career as a two-time All-Big East selection. As a senior, he was a first-team honoree after collecting 31 tackles, 10 pass breakups and an interception despite missing two games due to injury. He played in this year's East-West Shrine Game.
Malecki (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) was selected first team All-Big East and the Panthers' Offensive Lineman of the Year following a standout senior campaign. He finished his collegiate career by making 26 consecutive starts at right guard, including all 13 games as a senior.
Williams (Monessen, Pa./Monessen) was selected the Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Big East as a senior. He ranked second in the Big East and 23rd nationally in tackles for loss (1.31 TFL/game). On the year had 42 tackles, 17 TFLs, five sacks and three forced fumbles.
Stull (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-LaSalle) earned first team All-Big East as a senior after leading the conference and ranking 10th nationally in pass efficiency (150.61 rating). He threw for a Big East-high 2,633 yards, while completing 65.1% of his passes (209 of 321) with 21 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Stull finished his career with 5,252 passing yards to rank sixth all-time at Pitt.
This group of players was instrumental in a Panthers resurgence. Over the past two seasons, Pitt has produced 19 wins, the second highest total in the Big East Conference and among the top 25 nationally. The Panthers have won 20 of their last 27 games (.741), dating back to their landmark 13-9 upset at West Virginia on Dec. 1, 2007 - the first victory over a team ranked No. 1 in school history.
