2026 Pittsburgh Draft Watch: Panthers LB Prospect Brings Sam Mills Vibes

New Jersey native Kyle Louis leads the charge of top draft-eligible Pitt Panthers prospects, reminding some of legendary 'Garden State' LB Sam Mills. Plus, a look at top players for 2027 & beyond.

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2026 NFL DRAFT WATCH: TOP PITTSBURGH PROSPECTS

Location: Pittsburgh, PA || Conference: ACC || Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (11 years: 75-58; Overall: 75-58) || NFL Draft Picks Under Narduzzi: 31 || NFL First Round Picks under Narduzzi: 2 || Panthers in NFL: 27

The Pitt Panthers have had at least one player selected during the NFL Draft each year during the past decade under the watch of head coach Pat Narduzzi. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Panthers saw three players chosen on the final day of the draft, matching their total of the previous year (2024 NFL Draft). The high-water mark under Narduzzi came in 2023, when Pitt had six players chosen in the NFL Draft, including first round pick Calijah Kancey (Buccaneers). In fact, Pitt had back-to-back years of first round selections, as quarterback Kenny Pickett (Raiders) was selected with the 20th overall selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Looking ahead at the 2026 NFL Draft, Pitt has another potential Day 1 prospect in do-it-all linebacker Kyle Louis. A heat-seeking missile who is utilized in an array of ways, the New Jersey product may remind some of a former NFL linebacker who hailed from the Garden State in Sam Mills, who remains the lone number ever retired by Montclair State University.

Below is a list of top draft-eligible Panthers, including scouting reports, measurements, insider intel, projections and more. Plus, a ‘Future Watch’ list for the 2027 NFL Draft & Beyond, along with a ‘Global Prospect Tracker’ on top international players.

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