NFL decisions loom for some of Pitt's upperclassmen

With two games left this season — Boston College on Saturday at Heinz Field and a bowl game — Pitt (7-4, 4-3) has an opportunity to win nine games for the first time in 10 years.

That would represent progress not only for Pat Narduzzi’s five-year tenure but for the program and its future, which was stuck on six or seven wins in the four years before he arrived. Narduzzi’s best seasons were 2015 and ’16 when Pitt won eight. Pitt hasn’t won more than that since Dave Wannstedt’s teams won nine and 10 games in ’08 and ’09.

What Pitt has accomplished this season can be traced to an abundance of experienced players assuming key roles.

The two-deep roster includes 11 seniors and 17 three-year players (either redshirt sophomores, juniors or redshirt juniors).

While those 11 seniors are out of eligibility, the three- and four-year players can enter their names in the NFL Draft, if they choose to leave school early.

Narduzzi said those discussions and decisions will occur in the period after Saturday’s game and before the bowl. In fact, Narduzzi only addressed the subject Monday at his weekly news conference because he was asked.

The loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday ended hopes for an ACC Coastal championship but not the season.

“I don’t think our kids (are thinking), ‘Oh, my gosh, we don’t have that. Let’s shut it down,’ ” he said “I don’t think that’s in our mentality. I know it’s not even our coaches’ or my mentality.”

But a few talented players could approach Narduzzi next month hoping to gauge their readiness for the NFL. In recent seasons, Tyler Boyd and Jordan Whitehead left Pitt after three years and found success with their NFL teams. Boyd was a second-round choice of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Whitehead went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round.

Narduzzi said he encourages players to leave if they go through the NFL’s pre-draft evaluation process and discover they could be a first- or second-round pick.

“It’s smart for anybody who has that opportunity to get evaluated and find out what they say,” Narduzzi said.

“Because it doesn’t matter what I say, doesn’t matter what some street agent is saying. It matters what the NFL says. Then, you have to sit down and have serious talks about what’s best for you, your education. If the kid’s going to be a first or second-rounder, he’s got to kind of go. As sad as we’ll be seeing him go, that’s why they come to college to go play at that next level … to have an opportunity to make a lot of money if you’re a first- or second-rounder.”

“That’s the key. First, second round, I’m kicking them in the tail and saying ‘go.’ Third round, I’m saying you can make a lot more money in a year. That’s when the discussions start.”

Pitt’s three-year players include defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman, a redshirt sophomore who leads the team with 10 sacks and is ninth in the nation with an average of 0.91 per game.

Pitt defensive line coach Charlie Partridge said Twyman will play in the NFL.

“I think he has a chance to play for a long time,” he said.

But that doesn’t mean Twyman’s best interests will be served by entering next year’s draft.

“Those decisions we’ll worry about after the season,” Partridge said, “and guide him, as necessary.”

Also, redshirt juniors Patrick Jones II and Taysir Mack, who are four years removed from high school, have NFL potential, but could decide to stay in school another year.

Both are key players and will be missed when they eventually leave.

Jones has been one of the most productive members of the defense with eight sacks, 18 quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles from his end position.

Mack leads the team with 711 yards receiving and is second in receptions (62).

“Some guys are saying, ‘Coach, I’m good,’ ” said Narduzzi, who didn’t say he’s spoken to any players about the NFL. “Sometimes, you have surprises.”

Narduzzi said only five players from any school can file for early entry to the NFL.

That could create another difficult decision for a school with an especially talented roster but also could put a serious dent in the next year’s roster.

“If you have more than five,” Narduzzi said, “I’m scared.”

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