The Panthers rank tied for sixth among all schools with six Combine participants.
PITTSBURGH—The National Football League’s version of a job fair, the annual Scouting Combine, begins today in Indianapolis and six Pitt players will be participating.
Offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty, running back James Conner, offensive guard Dorian Johnson, tight end Scott Orndoff, quarterback Nathan Peterman and defensive end Ejuan Price will join more than 300 of the nation’s top college players at the combine for evaluation by executives, coaches, player personnel departments and medical staffs from all 32 NFL teams.
The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine runs from February 28 through March 6. Live television coverage of the on-field workouts will be provided by the NFL Network from March 3-6.
Bisnowaty (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) was a first team All-ACC selection by league coaches as a junior and senior. A fixture on the Panthers’ offensive front, he made 43 starts during his career. In addition to his playing accolades, Bisnowaty was a four-time member of the All-ACC Academic Football Team.
Conner (Erie, Pa./McDowell) established himself as one of the greatest backs in school history, a contention that is reinforced by his impressive career production. Conner finished second at Pitt in all-time rushing yards (3,733), total touchdowns (56) and rushing touchdowns (52)—trailing only the legendary Tony Dorsett. He is the ACC’s career leader in both rushing and total TDs.
Perhaps no other player took a more remarkable path to the Scouting Combine. Over the past year, Conner overcame both Hodgkin lymphoma and a knee injury to return to the football field. He was a two-time first-team All-ACC performer and the 2014 ACC Player of the Year.
Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area) was a first team All-American as a senior, becoming the first Pitt offensive lineman to earn that status since 1994. He additionally was a first team All-ACC selection by the coaches and media. Johnson made 40 consecutive starts to finish his Pitt career (42 total).
Orndoff (Waynesburg, Pa./Seton-LaSalle) enjoyed one of the most productive seasons ever by a Pitt tight end, compiling 35 catches for 579 yards (16.5 avg.) and five touchdowns in 2016. Orndoff additionally was named to the All-ACC Academic Football Team for the third time.
Peterman (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) was at the helm of the highest scoring offense in Pitt history (40.92 ppg.) as a senior. The ACC’s pass efficiency leader (163.4 rating), he completed 60.5% of his passes for 2,855 yards with 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Peterman’s 27 TD passes were the most by a Pitt quarterback since 2003 and rank fourth on the school single-season list. He was a 2016 All-ACC Academic Football Team honoree.
A two-time first-team All-ACC honoree, Price (Rankin, Pa./Woodland Hills) was one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the nation. More than half of his total tackles in 2016 were behind the line of scrimmage.
Price led the ACC and ranked second nationally with 1.8 tackles for loss per game. On the year he totaled 45 tackles, 23 TFLs, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, a blocked PAT and a tackle for a safety. He finished his career with 29.5 sacks, tied for fourth all-time at Pitt (with Aaron Donald, 2010-13).
This year’s NFL Draft will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia.