The 2026 NFL Draft has wrapped.
Of the 257 players to hear their names called at the podium in Pittsburgh, only one, linebacker Kyle Louis, chosen in the fourth round by the Dolphins, was a Pitt product.
Louis’ former teammate, tailback Desmond Reid, earned an undrafted free agency opportunity with the Bills shortly after the seventh round concluded Saturday night.
But as the weekend comes to a close, several additional Panthers will get a shot to forge a path to the NFL, as seven players so far have received invites to upcoming rookie minicamps.
Cornerback Rashad Battle (Chiefs), safety Javon McIntyre (Chiefs), tight ends Justin Holmes (Chiefs) and Jake Overman (Bills), offensive tackle Jeff Persi (Chiefs, 49ers), punter Caleb Junko (Colts, Packers) and receiver Deuce Spann (49ers) all received rookie minicamp invitations, a Pitt spokesperson confirmed to TribLive.
Battle spent six years (2020-25) at Pitt and was a multi-year starter at cornerback, navigating several injuries along the way, while McIntyre also spent his entire collegiate career (2021-25) with the Panthers, starting at safety for three seasons.
Holmes made good on his first and only season at Pitt last fall. Following statistically underwhelming stops at Kent State and Marshall, he demonstrated pass-game chops, leading his position mates with 28 catches for 301 yards and four scores.
The 6-foot-8 Persi transferred from Michigan ahead of last season and started at left tackle for Pitt, although injuries cost him four games.
As for Junko, he will look to translate the last three-plus seasons of being Pitt’s starting punter into an NFL role. Last year, he averaged 44.2 yards per punt.
Spann unquestionably parlayed a strong pro day at Pitt in mid-March into a minicamp invite with the 49ers.
Partaking with Louis, Reid and 13 other NFL hopefuls, Spann stole the show, running an unofficial 4.37 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical, the top performances in both drills by any participating player.
Spann also was a one-year player at Pitt and, in 2025, he made 13 catches for 142 yards with a touchdown while also factoring in on special teams as a kick returner.
Official dates of upcoming NFL rookie minicamps have yet to be announced, but typically are held the first or second weekend following the draft.