Welcome to Thursday’s “On Sports,” pinch-hitting once again for “First Call.” Today, there’s an interesting correlation in several 2026 mock drafts concerning the Pirates’ first-round selection. Plus, Penguins goalie prospect Sergei Murashov earned some AHL-wide respect. Former Steelers wideout Brandon Johnson found a new home shortly after being waived, while Pitt’s recently decommitted quarterback recruit promptly chose a new suitor.

Pirates mock draft

The Pirates will select fifth overall Saturday, July 11, on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft.

General manager Ben Cherington’s selection remains to be seen, of course, but Keith Law of The Athletic released a mock draft Wednesday that had the Pirates going with 6-foot-5 right-hander Jackson Flora out of UC Santa Barbara.

This season, Flora went 12-0 with a 1.06 ERA over 16 starts, striking out 133 with 32 walks in 102 innings.

Flora, 21, is 21-5 with a 2.49 ERA through three collegiate campaigns.

ESPN also linked Flora to the Pirates in a late May mock draft, as has MLB.com and Baseball America.

In 2025, Cherington selected high school pitcher Seth Hernandez sixth overall. Konnor Griffin (No. 9 overall) was his first-round pick in 2024, while Paul Skenes was selected first overall in 2023.

Murashov’s potential recognized

No one inside the Penguins organization needs any convincing as to the potential of goalie prospect Sergei Murashov.

On Wednesday, in the aftermath of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s defeat in the Eastern Conference final of the Calder Cup playoffs, the American Hockey League demonstrated its own belief in Murashov.

The 22-year-old Yaroslavl, Russia, native was one of six players and the lone goaltender named to the AHL Top Prospects Team.

Featuring three forwards, two defenseman and a goalie, the annual list is compiled by the AHL’s hockey operations department in coordination with AHL general managers, recognizing a handful of prospects projected to be the best NHL players.

Murashov went 24-9-4 over 38 regular-season AHL appearances for the Penguins in 2025-26, posting a 2.20 goals-against average and .919 save percentage, both of which ranked third in the league.

Over 15 playoffs starts, leading the Penguins to their first conference finals appearance in 12 years, Murashov posted a .931 save percentage. The Penguins were ultimately dispatched in six games by the Toronto Marlies.

Murashov made his NHL debut Dec. 14, 2025, and over five games with the club, went 1-1-2 with a 2.56 GAA and .897 save percentage.

A 2025-26 AHL All-Rookie Team selection, Murashov was drafted by the Penguins in the fourth round (No. 118 overall).

Johnson’s nomadic journey

Brandon Johnson’s quest to rediscover some stability in the NFL was hampered Tuesday when the Steelers waived the 27-year-old wideout.

Johnson was in his third stint with the Steelers, and over the last year, he has bounced around as a practice squad/offseason member of the Buccaneers and Broncos.

On Wednesday, the Raiders signed Johnson, who joins his fourth team since 2025.

An undrafted free agent out of UCF and Tennessee, Johnson played his first two seasons for the Broncos, posting a combined 25 catches for 346 yards and five touchdowns.

He appeared in three games with the Steelers in 2024, making one grab.

USF edges Pitt

Class of 2027 quarterback Kevin Verpaele, who had verbally committed to the Panthers in October, rescinded his commitment Tuesday, leaving Pitt without a signal caller in its current recruiting class.

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On Wednesday, Verpaele, a native of Merritt Island, Fla., committed to USF, quickly exiting the market.

Instead of joining Pitt, Verpaele has opted to become a Bulls legacy, as his father, also named Kevin, played defensive back at USF from 1999-2003 and his uncle, Danny, coaches the team’s safeties.

Following his defection, Pitt has 21 verbal commitments in its 2027 class, which 247Sports ranks 25th in the nation.