Pro Day gives 12 former Pitt players chance to tell their stories to the NFL

The 12 former Pitt players working out for the NFL on Wednesday had a variety of stories to tell:

Here are some of them:

A.J. Woods, cornerback

Woods used his Combine snub from a month ago as motivation to run an unofficial 4.30-second 40-yard dash inside Pitt’s practice facility and turn some heads among the 31 NFL teams, plus the CFL’s Edmonton Elks, in attendance.

“Since I was 7-years-old, my dad and I would watch the Combine every year, just talk about NFL dreams,” he said, without a trace of bitterness. “I thought (a Combine invitation) was a big part of living this dream. But, obviously, this is the path I have to take and I was able to show out (Wednesday). That was a huge motivating factor for me.”

Woods, whose record-setting 73-yard interception return helped Pitt win the ACC championship in 2021, said his goal Wednesday was to beat the best times at the Combine. The best for a cornerback was 4.28 by Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, but 21 others recorded times from the 4.4s to 4.6s.

“With the 40, I did hear some oohs, aahs,” Woods said of the large contingent of Pitt teammates watching the proceedings, “but I keep it even as much as possible so I could be ready for the next drill.”

Besides, he said he ran a 4.27 earlier this year while training in Fort Myers, Fla. Woods and running back C’Bo Flemister had the highest vertical jump Wednesday (37 1/2 inches, better than 13 Combine invitees).

“People would be crazy not to draft that guy,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said.

Marquis Williams, cornerback

Williams measured 5-foot-8, 176 pounds Wednesday morning, so it wasn’t surprising when he said, “I attack everything with a chip on my shoulder.”

“No stress,” he said. ” I’ve been working for this for three months.”

For motivation, William said he just listened for the sound of his young daughter calling his name.

“I can look to the left and to the right and I know what I’m playing for,” he said.

Bub Means, wide receiver

Means’ Pitt teammates were amazed many mornings before practice when he ate a bag of hot chips and washed them down with several sips of sweet tea. Wednesday morning, he said he went in another nutritional direction, pulling several gumballs out of his pocket that his mother gave him.

“Dude is a freak,” tight end Malcolm Epps said, marveling at his teammate’s diet. “I don’t get it. I don’t know what he has. I wish I had that.”

Means, who presents a big target for quarterbacks (6-1 1/4, 227 pounds), gained 15 pounds since the Combine, where he ran a 4.43 40, and recorded a 39 1/2 vertical jump. He did neither Wednesday.

“I like to drink a lot of water … stay hydrated, keep my muscles healthy,” he said, explaining the temporary weight gain.

Of his 40 time, he said, “I’m probably faster than that right now.”

Means pointed to two games — Wake Forest (nine catches, 109 yards, one touchdown) and Florida State (seven, 98, one) — that he hopes the NFL noticed last season.

But Narduzzi said there is more to Means than an athlete.

“The one thing people don’t know about Bub Means is he is a joy to coach,” he said. “There are a lot of guys who can run out there. There are a lot of guys who can block. There are a lot of smart guys out there who know what to do. You want to coach guys who enjoy the game. They come to work every day and they have a smile on their face.

“There are never any issues. Every day is a positive day. That’s who he is. I don’t think there’s any NFL team that wouldn’t be better with Bub Means in their offense.”

Means was a favorite among teammates during his two seasons at Pitt.

“That’s my brother for life. Blood couldn’t make us closer,” Epps said.

Jake Kradel, 24 reps of 225 pounds at the outset of Pitt’s Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/VKJcBE2UKS

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) March 27, 2024

Jake Kradel, guard/center

Kradel, who ran a 5.06 40 at 6-3 1/2, 294 pounds, had an admission to make.

“Coming out of high school (Butler), I really wasn’t a good football player,” he said. “Coach Borbs (former Pitt offensive line coach Dave Borbely, who was let go after last season) took his time with me from the first day I stepped on campus (January 2018) until the Duke game (2023 season finale). I give him a lot of credit. He really developed me into the player I am.”

He lifted 225 pounds 24 times on the bench press Wednesday, one short of defensive tackle David Green’s personal-best (25, which was the high for the day).

Kradel said he wasn’t especially stressed about working out for so many NFL people, but he admitted, “I didn’t sleep too much (Tuesday) night. I was just excited for the opportunity.

“I truly don’t think I’ve scratched my true ability or potential. I think I can be developed even more. I think I can go somewhere and reach a new level.”

M.J. Devonshire, cornerback

Devonshire, an Aliquippa graduate, intercepted eight passes, including three pick 6s in three seasons at Pitt. But that won’t be his only ticket to the NFL.

Narduzzi’s preferred defense — press man in which the cornerbacks often compete one-on-one with wide receivers — will help Devonshire at the next level, he believes.

“A lot of guys, they go places, and they have to play off,” Devonshire said. “Here, you have to sit and press a guy, and you’re in his face all day. It’s just you and him one-on-one. You’re on an island truly.”

Devonshire, Woods and Williams are hoping to increase the number of Pitt defensive backs drafted since 2018 from seven to 10.

Phil Jurkovec, tight end

For the first time since Pine-Richland youth football, Jurkovec is playing a position other than quarterback.

Benched by Narduzzi after five games last season, Jurkovec started practicing with the Pitt tight ends, and he hopes that’s his avenue to the NFL.

“It’s been fun, different, different way of training,” he said, noting former Pitt tight end J.P. Holtz has been helping him with the transition. “There’s a steep learning curve. There’s a lot to learn.

“I just thought here’s an opportunity to play a different position and see what I have to offer doing it. I have soft hands. I can catch the ball really well. I’d love to get into a camp and compete. I think there’s some curiosity (among NFL teams). I’m confident somebody will give me a shot.”

Epps was surprised when Jurkovec made the move to tight end.

“When it first happened, we thought it was a joke.” he said. “OK, you’re really here. We just brought him under our wing.”

Matt Goncalves, offensive tackle

Probably the most inspiring story of the day was that of Goncalves, who missed all but the first three games last season with a serious toe injury. He started training for his pro day efforts only three weeks ago.

“I really wanted to do it at the Combine, but I couldn’t,” he said.

Goncalves (6-6 1/4, 317) went through the gamut of drills Wednesday, running a 5.12 40, jumping 30 1/2 inches and benching 225 pound 19 times.

“I don’t think (the toe) is 100% yet,” he said, estimating his recovery at 85%-90%. “It’s still very stiff. A little bit (more) time rehabbing, stretching out the tendon, getting it right. It’s a pretty serious injury.

“I told everybody I’m not trying to break records (Wednesday). I’m trying to check boxes. I think I did that. I showed teams that I’m healthy. I showed team that I’m ready to go.“