By Jerry DiPaola

Published: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 8:56 p.m.
Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012

For the first time since 1999, Pitt had no players selected in the NFL Draft, but six former Panthers said Saturday night that they agreed to free-agent contracts.

Included among them is outside linebacker Brandon Lindsey, who is joining the Steelers. Lindsey, an Aliquippa graduate, said he fielded offers from the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers before choosing the Steelers.

“There's no place like home,” he said on his Twitter account.

Lindsey said watching the draft was no fun.

“I stopped watching after a while,” he said.

Others who found new homes include defensive lineman Chas Alecxih (Miami), linebacker Max Gruder (Atlanta), guard Lucas Nix of Thomas Jefferson (Oakland), linebacker Greg Williams (Houston) and cornerback Buddy Jackson (Indianapolis). Nix and Jackson also had offers from the Steelers.

Alecxih said he watched every minute of the draft.

“It was horrible — like the worst experience ever,” he said. “But things happen for a reason. I'm going to make the team.”

Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at jdipaola@tribweb.com or 412-320-7997.

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