University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt's Qadree Ollison Selected by Atlanta Falcons in NFL Draft
4/27/2019 8:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Running back Qadree Ollison became the latest University of Pittsburgh football player to hear his name called in the NFL Draft when the Atlanta Falcons selected Ollison in the fifth round on Saturday afternoon.
Ollison (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Canisius H.S.) was the 152nd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and became the seventh Pitt running back since 2000 to be selected by an NFL team in the draft, joining James Conner, Dion Lewis, LeSean McCoy, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Brandon Miree and Kevan Barlow.
"The Falcons are getting a great back and person in Qadree," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said of Ollison. "Production-wise, he is one of the best ever to carry the ball at Pitt with two 1,000-yard seasons. He also got it done for us on special teams. Most importantly, Qadree was a vital leader for us, on and off the field. We wish him the very best in Atlanta."
After a stellar career with the Panthers from 2014-18, Ollison finished with the sixth most rushing yards (2,859) in Pitt program history.
As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Ollison was thrust into a prominent role when starter James Conner was lost for the season due to injury. The Niagara Falls native seized the opportunity, earning second team All-ACC and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year after becoming just the fifth freshman in Pitt history to achieve a 1,000-yard season.
Following two campaigns as a key role player for the Panthers, Ollison bookended his Pitt career with another 1,000-yard year as a senior. In 2018, he started all 14 games and was again selected second team All-ACC after scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging 6.25 yards per carry. In Pitt's amazing 52-22 win over Virginia Tech on Senior Day, Ollison broke the school record for longest play with a 97-yard TD in one of his final collegiate plays at Heinz Field.
With Ollison going to the Falcons, Pitt has now had at least one player drafted in six consecutive years.
Several other Panthers are expected to sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams this weekend.
Video and photos courtesy Mike Gallagher and Sean Gallagher.
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Ollison (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Canisius H.S.) was the 152nd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and became the seventh Pitt running back since 2000 to be selected by an NFL team in the draft, joining James Conner, Dion Lewis, LeSean McCoy, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Brandon Miree and Kevan Barlow.
Qadree Ollison gets the call.
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) April 27, 2019
The moment the @AtlantaFalcons decided to make @QOllison their newest running back.
?? via @mikegallagher24#H2P pic.twitter.com/YJnBhYoM7P
"The Falcons are getting a great back and person in Qadree," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said of Ollison. "Production-wise, he is one of the best ever to carry the ball at Pitt with two 1,000-yard seasons. He also got it done for us on special teams. Most importantly, Qadree was a vital leader for us, on and off the field. We wish him the very best in Atlanta."
After a stellar career with the Panthers from 2014-18, Ollison finished with the sixth most rushing yards (2,859) in Pitt program history.
As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Ollison was thrust into a prominent role when starter James Conner was lost for the season due to injury. The Niagara Falls native seized the opportunity, earning second team All-ACC and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year after becoming just the fifth freshman in Pitt history to achieve a 1,000-yard season.
Following two campaigns as a key role player for the Panthers, Ollison bookended his Pitt career with another 1,000-yard year as a senior. In 2018, he started all 14 games and was again selected second team All-ACC after scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging 6.25 yards per carry. In Pitt's amazing 52-22 win over Virginia Tech on Senior Day, Ollison broke the school record for longest play with a 97-yard TD in one of his final collegiate plays at Heinz Field.
With Ollison going to the Falcons, Pitt has now had at least one player drafted in six consecutive years.
Several other Panthers are expected to sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams this weekend.
Congratulations to @QOllison on being drafted by the @AtlantaFalcons The Falcons drafted a great player and Teammate. #H2P #RBU pic.twitter.com/UE5sIBRq27
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) April 27, 2019
Video and photos courtesy Mike Gallagher and Sean Gallagher.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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