Inside The Panthers

Pitt WR Jared Wayne Showing Promise at Texans OTAs

Former Pitt Panther Jared Wayne is off to a strong start in the NFL.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt WR Jared Wayne Showing Promise at Texans OTAs
Pitt WR Jared Wayne Showing Promise at Texans OTAs /
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PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers receiver Jared Wayne joined a growing youth movement when he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Texans back in April and now he's one of the new faces impressing first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans. 

Pitt's No. 1 receiver from a year ago has impressed with his catch radius and quick adjustments to life and practices as an NFL wideout, according to Ryans. 

“Jared, he’s doing a good job as well,” Ryans said. “All the guys are working really hard, working really well with what they’ve been doing. They’ve been adapting to what we ask them to do. They’ve been improving, and they’re competing each day.”

Wayne improved steadily with each passing year at Pitt. He made four starts in 2019 and three in 2020 while hauling in a combined 39 passes for 587 yards and two touchdowns. He became a regular part of the receiver rotation in 2021, when he finished second in receptions (47), yards (658) and touchdowns (six) for that team's record-setting, ACC Championship-winning offense. His final season was his best, when he caught 60 passes, for 1,062 yards and five touchdowns before declaring for the NFL Draft.

He flew under the radar during the draft process but turned some heads with impressive numbers in the 40-yard dash and vertical leap at his Pro Day. Scouts with the Texans clearly took notice and had seen enough between his film and in-person scouting to feel comfortable taking a flier on Pitt's leading receiver from a year ago. So far, he's proven their scouting correct.  

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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