Pitt Leads Nation in Developing NFL Talent Beyond Recruiting Rankings
6/5/2025 12:39:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH – In a recent analysis by The Athletic, the Pitt Panthers were named the most productive NFL talent-developing program among schools ranked outside the top 40 in recruiting over the past five years, underscoring the program's identity as a developmental powerhouse in college football.
According to the report, Pitt produced 20 NFL Draft picks over the last five years, including two first-round selections, the second most in the ACC behind Clemson's 22. Even more telling, just three of those 20 draftees were transfers, with the rest being players who developed within the program from the start.
Of the 17 Pitt-developed draft picks, only current Buffalo Bills standout and former Panthers safety Damar Hamlin arrived as a blue-chip high school recruit. The rest were players overlooked by national recruiting services who flourished at Pitt through strength development, position coaching and a commitment to head coach Pat Narduzzi's program.
"This is who we are," said Narduzzi, who has overseen 31 NFL Draft picks during his tenure. "We don't chase stars; we chase what others may not see. We build and develop football players and well-rounded young men in the process. Our track record shows we're doing it as well as anyone in the country."
The recognition comes at a time when college football is increasingly dominated by transfer movement and recruiting rankings. Yet Pitt has carved out a different path—one that values long-term development and program culture over instant gratification.
Pitt's approach continues to yield not just draft picks but successful pros. Former Panthers like Kenny Pickett, Brian O'Neill, Calijah Kancey and Damarri Mathis have made their mark at the next level, reinforcing Pitt's reputation as one of the nation's most reliable NFL pipelines.
In a city that respects hard work and development, the Panthers are proof that stars aren't born, they're built.