University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics
Whitehead, Maddox Join O'Neill as Pitt's 2018 NFL Draft Selections
4/28/2018 8:30:00 PM | Football
DALLAS—University of Pittsburgh defensive backs Jordan Whitehead and Avonte Maddox were each selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, on Saturday afternoon.
Whitehead (Aliquippa, Pa./Central Valley) will join the Buccaneers as the 117th pick after starring as a standout safety for the Panthers each of the last three seasons. He was named to an All-ACC Football Team in three consecutive year and recorded 234 tackles, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and scored five touchdowns in 31 career games at Pitt.
Whitehead was Pitt's first defensive back selected in the NFL Draft since Kennard Cox in 2008, and he was Pitt's highest drafted defensive secondary player since Darrelle Revis went to the New York Jets in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on the Buccaneers selecting Jordan Whitehead:
"The Buccaneers got themselves a really great all-around football player. Jordan showed the ability to contribute in so many different ways at Pitt. He was a safety who could effectively defend both the run and pass, and he was also a dynamic offensive threat for us. We're looking forward to him doing great things in Tampa."
It didn't take Pitt long to have its next defensive back taken in the NFL Draft, as Maddox (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King) was scooped up quickly after Whitehead by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 125th pick in the draft.
Maddox was a four-year contributor at cornerback for the Panthers, featuring in 46 games with 38 starts and tallying 183 tackles, 50 passes broken up, eight interceptions, 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. A consistent performer and vocal leader with Pitt, Maddox also scored three career touchdowns on defense and special teams and served as a team captain for the 2017 season.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on the Eagles selecting Avonte Maddox:
"The Eagles are going to love Avonte Maddox. He is as tough a competitor as I've been around, every single day and every single play. Avonte was such an important leader for our program, and I know he will bring that same toughness and leadership to Philadelphia."
The Saturday selections of Whitehead and Maddox gave Pitt three players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, along with offensive lineman Brian O'Neill, who went to the Minnesota Vikings in the second round on Friday evening.
Pitt's three NFL Draft selections this year extended the programs streak to five consecutive seasons with an NFL Draft pick. It was also the second consecutive season and the ninth time since 2000 that at least three Panthers heard their names announced during the annual NFL Draft.
Updates will be announced on Twitter @Pitt_FB and @CoachDuzzPittFB as several other Panthers are confirmed as signing free-agent contracts with NFL franchises.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
Whitehead (Aliquippa, Pa./Central Valley) will join the Buccaneers as the 117th pick after starring as a standout safety for the Panthers each of the last three seasons. He was named to an All-ACC Football Team in three consecutive year and recorded 234 tackles, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and scored five touchdowns in 31 career games at Pitt.
Whitehead was Pitt's first defensive back selected in the NFL Draft since Kennard Cox in 2008, and he was Pitt's highest drafted defensive secondary player since Darrelle Revis went to the New York Jets in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
?? @jwhite_333 is headed to Tampa!
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) April 28, 2018
Round 4 | Pick 117
DB | Jordan Whitehead | @Buccaneers
?? 31 Games, 30 Starts
?? Three-time All-ACC selection
?? 234 Tackles, 3 INT, 3 FR
?? 5 Career Touchdowns#H2P #GoBucs #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/8mmFwOc7dm
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on the Buccaneers selecting Jordan Whitehead:
"The Buccaneers got themselves a really great all-around football player. Jordan showed the ability to contribute in so many different ways at Pitt. He was a safety who could effectively defend both the run and pass, and he was also a dynamic offensive threat for us. We're looking forward to him doing great things in Tampa."
It didn't take Pitt long to have its next defensive back taken in the NFL Draft, as Maddox (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King) was scooped up quickly after Whitehead by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 125th pick in the draft.
Maddox was a four-year contributor at cornerback for the Panthers, featuring in 46 games with 38 starts and tallying 183 tackles, 50 passes broken up, eight interceptions, 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. A consistent performer and vocal leader with Pitt, Maddox also scored three career touchdowns on defense and special teams and served as a team captain for the 2017 season.
?? @2live_AM got that phone call??
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) April 28, 2018
Round 4 | Pick 125
DB | Avonte Maddox | @Eagles
?? 46 Games, 38 Starts
?? Two-time All-ACC selection
?? 183 Tackles, 50 PBUs, 8 INTs
?? 13.5 TFLs, 7.0 Sacks
?? 3 Career Touchdowns#H2P #Eagles #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/tncJJFiIx0
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on the Eagles selecting Avonte Maddox:
"The Eagles are going to love Avonte Maddox. He is as tough a competitor as I've been around, every single day and every single play. Avonte was such an important leader for our program, and I know he will bring that same toughness and leadership to Philadelphia."
The Saturday selections of Whitehead and Maddox gave Pitt three players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, along with offensive lineman Brian O'Neill, who went to the Minnesota Vikings in the second round on Friday evening.
Pitt's three NFL Draft selections this year extended the programs streak to five consecutive seasons with an NFL Draft pick. It was also the second consecutive season and the ninth time since 2000 that at least three Panthers heard their names announced during the annual NFL Draft.
Updates will be announced on Twitter @Pitt_FB and @CoachDuzzPittFB as several other Panthers are confirmed as signing free-agent contracts with NFL franchises.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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