Pitt Football Leads ACC with Six Players Selected in 2021 NFL Draft
5/1/2021 10:00:00 PM | Football
That total gave Pitt the most 2021 draft picks in the ACC and tied for the eighth most selections from any program in all of college football.
PITT x NFL DRAFT pic.twitter.com/AInMKqv3Jm
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) May 2, 2021
Pitt's six selections were the most from the program since the 2004 NFL Draft, which also saw six Panthers drafted and was highlighted by wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald going third overall.
The five Panthers chosen by NFL teams on the defensive side of the ball in one draft mark Pitt's best total since 1988, when the program also saw five defenders drafted.
Pitt saw five players selected on Saturday's final day of the NFL Draft after defensive end Patrick Jones II was taken in the third round (90th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings late Friday evening.
Edge rusher Rashad Weaver went to the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round (135th overall), cornerback Jason Pinnock got the call from the New York Jets in the fifth round (175th overall), defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman joined Jones with the Vikings in the sixth round (199th overall), safety Damar Hamlin heard his name called by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round (212th overall) and finally center Jimmy Morrissey was picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round (230th overall).
Jones joins the Vikings after a stellar senior season in 2020 that saw him earn consensus All-America honors as well as First Team All-ACC recognition. The Pitt pass rusher started all 11 games last fall for the Panthers and collected 44 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on Patrick Jones II to the Minnesota Vikings:
"Coach Zimmer and the Vikings are going to absolutely love Patrick Jones He's a relentless competitor who constantly strives to improve. There's a reason why Patrick was a consensus All-American for us this past year. He absolutely disrupts his opponent. And we're thrilled he will be reunited with a fellow Pitt man in Brian O'Neill in Minnesota."
Weaver was taken by the Titans after he also garnered consensus All-America recognition in 2020 as well as First Team All-ACC honors. After missing the previous season due to a knee injury, Weaver returned and was one of the nation's most productive defender, tallying 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles to lead the ACC in TFL per game (1.61) and sacks per game (0.83).
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on Rashad Weaver to the Tennessee Titans:
"The Titans got themselves a real steal in the fourth round in Rashad Weaver. He is so mentally and physically tough. That was on full display this past season when he came back from a knee injury to be a first team All-American. I'm not surprised that Coach Vrabel, a former defensive lineman himself, wanted to make Rashad a Titan."
Pinnock flies to New York City to join the Jets after being a valuable four-year contributor at Pitt. The big, athletic cornerback was the stand-out performer of Pitt's Pro Day in March and was rewarded Saturday. He played in 43 games for the Panthers and tallied six interceptions as a regular in the Pitt secondary.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on Jason Pinnock to the New York Jets:
"I think Jason Pinnock really caught people's attention with his Pro Day workout, but at Pitt we've always known he's a player. The Jets are getting a long athlete with great ball skills. He knows how to press, be physical. I know he'll be an asset for Coach Saleh and what he's looking to build in New York."
Twyman became the third Pitt player selected by the Vikings in four years and will join Patrick Jones II and Brian O'Neill in Minnesota. The pass-rushing defensive tackle, who wore No. 97 to honor Aaron Donald at Pitt, didn't play last season for the Panthers but was a second team All-American in 2019, collecting 10.5 sacks and earning first team All-ACC during his breakout sophomore campaign.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on Jaylen Twyman to the Minnesota Vikings:
"The Vikings got themselves another one of our outstanding defensive linemen in Jaylen Twyman. This guy was an absolute force on the interior for us. Really physical and strong. His performance on the bench at Pro Day shows he's gotten even stronger over the past year. We are thrilled that he and Patrick will be together again."
A hometown hero from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Hamlin will reunite with former Pitt defensive back Dane Jackson in Buffalo after an outstanding career at Pitt. A key cog at safety in Pitt's defense, Hamlin was a leader and reliable force in the secondary for the Panthers throughout his career, playing in 48 games and tallying 290 total tackles with six interceptions.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on Damar Hamlin to the Buffalo Bills:
"Damar was listed as Mel Kiper's best available player all day. A bunch of teams really, really missed out, but the Bills got themselves a gem of a player and person. Damar was the quarterback of our defense. He's smart, tough and such a sure tackler back there. He is going to be a difference-maker for Buffalo. Damar and our man Dane Jackson together again!"
A hometown hero from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Hamlin will reunite with former Pitt defensive back Dane Jackson in Buffalo after an outstanding career at Pitt. A key cog at safety in Pitt's defense, Hamlin was a leader and reliable force in the secondary for the Panthers throughout his career, playing in 48 games and tallying 290 total tackles with six interceptions.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on Jimmy Morrissey to the Las Vegas Raiders:
"What a tremendous success story Jimmy Morrissey is. Five years ago he was a walk-on with no FBS scholarship offers. Now, following an outstanding Pitt career—on and off the field—he is an NFL draft pick. Jimmy makes everyone around him better and the Raiders will soon see that as well."
After the Draft concluded, four more Panthers signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams.
Safety Paris Ford inked a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, offensive lineman Bryce Hargrove signed with the Atlanta Falcons, kicker Alex Kessman will compete for a spot with the Los Angeles Chargers and wide receiver DJ Turner was picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders.
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