DRAFT RECAP: Pitt Continues to Produce NFL Talent
4/28/2025 5:30:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh continues to produce NFL talent, with its 303 all-time draft selections ranking second among current ACC teams and tied for 19th overall among all NCAA programs. Head coach Pat Narduzzi has extended the long-standing trend of Panthers heading to the pros, with 31 draft picks during his tenure at Pitt.
Last weekend's NFL Draft saw three more Panthers' names called by the league office, extending a run on skill position players from Pitt as well as another product built in the trenches.
Branson Taylor – 6th Round – No. 199 – Los Angeles Chargers
- Started 21 career games between the left and right tackle spots; played in 45 career games
- 2024 team captain
- Started six games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury
Draft Notable:
- Taylor is the fifth offensive lineman drafted under Narduzzi who entered college with a three-star or lower rating. He joins Matt Goncalves (2024, Indianapolis Colts, 3rd round, No. 79), Carter Warren (2023, New York Jets, 4th round, No. 120), Jimmy Morrissey (2021, Las Vegas Raiders, 7th round, No. 230), and Brian O'Neill (2018, Minnesota Vikings, 2nd round, No. 62).
Gavin Bartholomew – 6th Round – No. 202 – Minnesota Vikings
- 2024 team captain who played in 49 career games at Pitt, the most by a tight end in program history
- Finished his career with 1,257 receiving yards on 104 catches with 11 touchdowns
- His 104 catches are the most by a Panthers tight end; his receiving yardage ranks second in program history; his 11 touchdowns rank fourth
Draft Notable:
- Bartholomew is the first Pitt tight end drafted since Nate Byham and Dorin Dickerson were both selected in the 2010 NFL Draft. He is the fifth Pitt player drafted by the Vikings since 2018, joining Brian O'Neill (2018, 2nd round, No. 62), Patrick Jones II (2021, 3rd round, No. 90), Jaylen Twyman (2021, 6th round, No. 199), and Jordan Addison (2023, 1st round, No. 23).
Konata Mumpfield – 7th Round – No. 242 – Los Angeles Rams
- Collected 154 receptions for 1,940 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons at Pitt
- Ranks ninth in career receptions at Pitt
- 2024 team captain
Draft Notable:
- This marks the fourth consecutive draft — and the seventh time in 10 seasons — that Pitt has had a skill position player selected. It is also the third consecutive year a Pitt wide receiver has been drafted, following Bub Means (2024, 5th round, No. 170) and Jordan Addison (2023, 1st round, No. 23).
Three More Panthers Earn NFL Opportunities
Following the 2025 NFL Draft, three Panthers signed undrafted free agent deals and will have the opportunity to play their way onto an NFL roster. Prolific kicker Ben Sauls will get a chance to stay home with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while safety Donovan McMillon signed with the Cleveland Browns. Linebacker Brandon George will have his opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs.
