Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pitt player gaining national recognition ahead of 2023 NFL Draft

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 1/25/23

The University of Pittsburgh is starting to make a name for itself once again. And with the 2023 NFL Draft getting closer every day, another Pitt Panther is catching the eye of NFL scouts.

Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has gained some national recognition in Mel Kiper's first mock draft of the year. Kiper has Kancey going 10th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mel Kiper's first mock of the year has #Pitt DT Calijah Kancey going 10th overall to the Eagles, and the #Steelers taking Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. at 17th overall.

I'm high on Kancey because I've seen him work up close, interesting to see him get more national recognition. pic.twitter.com/Qa7fFmjokh
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) January 25, 2023

It may be surprising to some as Kancey is a little undersized for the position, standing at 6-foot, 280 pounds. And although he's ranked as Pro Football Focus's 38th overall player, he has an impressive resume for his time at Pitt.

The 21-year-old had 64 tackles, 14 sacks, and one forced fumble over the past two years. He also earned Unanimous All-American status, the Panthers’ first since DT Aaron Donald in 2013.

"Kancey's 2022 tape is extremely impressive, and I moved him way up my Big Board," Kiper said.

Nobody has better inside passrush this draft than Calijah Kancey. Looks like a video glitch. pic.twitter.com/GhtjEVRvzK
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) January 21, 2023

A lot can happened between now and April 27th, opening night of the 2023 NFL Draft, but Kancey certainly finds himself in good company.

"He's not Donald," Kiper added. "But he's still pretty good."

If Kancey is drafted in the first round, he would become the 26th Pitt player to be a first-round selection and just the third in the last decade (Kenny Pickett 2022, Aaron Donal 2014).

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