Pitt standout a top 10 pick in latest mock draft

The University of Pittsburgh is making its presence known once again in the NFL Draft and Pro Football Focus' latest mock draft has a Pitt Panther landing in the top 10.

With the pick No. 9 in the 2023 NFL Draft, PFF's Sam Monson has the Bears selecting Pitt defensive lineman Calijah Kancey. 

"Kancey has elite get-off and athleticism, and he recorded a top-tier 22.7% pass-rush win rate last season," Monson writes.

Kancey's draft stock has been rising for some time now, but his breakout came at the NFL Combine when he ran a 4.67 40-yard dash. He broke Aaron Donald's previous record for a defensive tackle of 4.68 seconds and is the fastest at the position since 2000.

The 22-year-old also had 64 tackles, 14 sacks, and one forced fumble over the past two years and earned Unanimous All-American status, the Panthers’ first since Donald in 2013.

With NFL analysts describing him as "undersized" and possessing "freakish athleticism," some have already named him as Aaron Donald 2.0. 

However, expecting Kancey to be the next Aaron Donald is somewhat unrealistic. Although the Pitt product is certainly looking to make a name for himself when he finally hears his name called on April 27.

Kancey currently ranks as PFF's No. 13 overall prospect on its big board but it would be no surprise if he sneaks into the top 10 on night one as he does here.