Three Pitt players received invitations to attend the NFL Combines (hat tip, Keith W.): Josh Lay, Charles Spencer and Greg Lee.
That means the other senior players: TE Eric Gill, K Josh Cummings, DT Thomas Smith, RB Ray Kirkley, S Tez Morris and OLB J.J. Horne, likely will be hoping for free agent signings after the second day of the draft.
Zeise, in his Q&A last week said that Spencer was doing real well in workouts. That seems to be confirmed by his mention among 20 players who can really see their stock soar at the combines (hat tip, Adam).
8. Charles Spencer, G, Pittsburgh: He played left tackle as a senior, but Spencer looked more natural and dominant at guard during the Senior Bowl. A top 3 player at his position, he will head into Round 2 with good results.
ESPN.com list (Insider subs.) him as about the 7th best at the Guard spot. Regarding Spencer, they say he has “upside” but question his durability.
Spencer is a former defensive tackle who thrived in his late transition to the offensive line. Spencer has great size, quick feet and impressive overall power. He still has room to improve in terms of his overall technique and awareness, but Spencer has all the physical tools necessary to eventually develop into an NFL starter either at OG or ROT.
On Josh Lay, who they list as 22nd amongst corners, they question his physical play and not being very helpful in run support. They see him going in the middle rounds.
Lay is a tall cover corner with surprisingly fluid hips and smooth athleticism. He has the size, instincts, athleticism and just enough speed to develop into a sub-package contributor at the cornerback position in the NFL. He also could emerge as a good fit in a cover-2 type scheme, but he must get stronger and develop his overall tackling skills. Lay is not the toughest of cornerbacks, he lacks elite speed and he has some durability issues, which will cause him to slip on draft weekend.
Eric Gill, is listed as about the 20th best TE, and expected to be a free agent signee.
Gill is a blue-collar prospect that is reliable as a safety valve in the passing game and works to stay in position as a blocker, but he doesn’t have much upside. He lacks ideal top-end speed, he doesn’t have great quickness and he needs to improve his overall strength and power. As a result, Gill does not classify as a draftable prospect but is worth considering as a priority free agent.
Josh Cummings is considered as the 12th best place kicker out there. They don’t even bother with an evaluation. Definitely a free agent signee.
No evaluations for the rest of the Pitt players.
