Five Pitt Players Named to Senior Bowl Watchlist
PITTSBURGH -- Five Pitt Panthers upperclassmen have been recognized as potential top NFL draft prospects this week.
The Senior Bowl, one of the premier pre-NFL Draft showcases for college football players, has released their annual preseason prospect watchlist and five Panthers - cornerbacks A.J. Woods and M.J. Devonshire, quarterback Phil Jurkovec, offensive lineman Matt Goncalves and wide receiver Bub Means - made the cut.
Woods led the Panthers in passes defended (13) last season - in addition to amassing 28 tackles and an interception as part of a three-man rotation atop the cornerback room. He appeared in all 13 games, starting five, and played in double-digit games every year since he arrived at Pitt.
Devonshire, another member of that strong defensive backs group, has been earning NFL Draft buzz going back to last spring's NFL combine. He was an All-ACC selection as a corner and punt returner and his combination of speed and size make him a prime draft prospect.
Prior to Pitt, Jurkovec made stops at Notre Dame and Boston College. In three seasons with the Eagles, Jurkovec completed 59% of his passes for 5,184 yards 35 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while for nine touchdowns as well. He was named the Panthers' starting quarterback back in spring practices and ever since, head coach Pat Narduzzi has not backed off the commitment to him as a starter.
Matt Goncalves, a first-team All-ACC selection by the media, has emerged as one of the Panthers' best offensive linemen after a strong 2022 campaign in which he helped fill in for Carter Warren, a starter and team captain who went down with a knee injury midway through the season. He projects as a starter at one of the tackle spots this coming season.
Means started slow but finished strong last season, finishing his first year as a Panther with 27 receptions for 401 yards and two touchdowns. He is expected to start again this season and be a premier part of Pitt's new-look passing offense. Means was also named one of the top-100 athletic "freaks" in college football.
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