INDIANAPOLIS — I don’t actually know what precisely to match the NFL Mix to.

The large-time TV guys and gals definitely make their appearances. I imply, NFL Community has a large stage arrange proper within the midst of the chaos contained in the Indiana Conference Heart — an ideal platform to observe the ants native and nationwide reporters scurry round to seize soundbites and tv hits.

I’m right here, too. It’s an ideal alternative to verify in on Pitt’s six gamers in attendance. On the finish of the day, the Mix is in regards to the NFL hopefuls and the way they carry out athletically and mentally in entrance of NFL entrance workplaces. It’s a type of job interview, in spite of everything.

Calijah Kancey is the headliner, however Israel Abanikanda, SirVocea Dennis, Carter Warren, Habakkuk Baldonado and Brandon Hill will all have the chance to impress NFL coaches upon arriving early this week.

2023 @NFL Scouting Mix ⏱

Good luck to those Pitt males in Indy!@CKancey8@IAbanikanda @CarterWarren79 @Sirvocea @abba1999 @BrandonHill_6

Watch on @NFLNetwork 📺#H2P » @NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/jfx1fAsGcY

— Pitt Soccer (@Pitt_FB) February 28, 2023

After all, will probably be fascinating to see which groups somebody like Kancey or Abanikanda is assembly with all through the week. I’m intrigued to see how everybody measures in, top and weight is necessary for some on this group.

day of testing — a quick 40 time or a formidable vertical soar — will certainly make a distinction. However what precisely will I be following?

Calijah Kancey’s Dimension

Pitt lists Kancey at 6-foot, 280 kilos. Whether or not it’s Tinder or official NFL Mix listings, it’s necessary there’s a pleasant 6000 subsequent to his top.

There’s already a sense that Kancey is ‘too small’ for some NFL groups. If he’s 6-foot, 275 kilos, that’s an actual good quantity to lean on. As a result of Kancey goes to blow testing numbers out of the water.

Kancey is already going as a primary rounder in latest mock drafts, but when he secures that 6-foot, 275-pound measurement and blows his testing numbers out of the water (as he ought to), he’s going to be a first-round decide.

Israel Abanikanda 40 Time

Do you know which you could gamble on the NFL Mix? 40 occasions, variety of reps on the bench, you title it.

I don’t assume Abanikanda is gonna break any Mix information or something, nevertheless it wouldn’t be a shock if he’s among the many quickest — if not the quickest — operating backs in Indianapolis this week.

He’s recognized for his breakaway velocity. NFL groups love velocity. If he can clock in a sub 4.4 40 time, which solely six operating backs did final yr (led by Isaiah Pacheo’s 4.37), NFL groups will take discover.

Abanikanda clearly isn’t a Day One decide, but when he exams effectively, there’s no motive he can’t work his means into Day Two.

Can Dennis, Baldonado and Warren Proceed Good Press?

Dennis was Pitt’s lone Senior Bowl participant this yr, placing collectively a stable week of apply earlier than lacking the sport itself with a foot damage.

He isn’t the largest ‘backer within the draft, measured at 6-foot, 218 kilos, however he has massive arms, lengthy arms and a stable wingspan. NFL groups will probably fall in love throughout interviews, and if he can put collectively a powerful week of drills and testing, it wouldn’t be a shock if he can work his means right into a Day Two choice.

Baldonado had a noticeable dip in manufacturing throughout the 2022 season, however he was a standout performer on the Shrine Bowl, and if he can take a look at effectively this week, NFL groups shall be way more forgiving.

He measured effectively on the Shrine Bowl, checking in at 6-foot-3, 258 kilos, and he has the mix of velocity and energy — with loads of sturdy tape throughout his time in Pittsburgh — to intrigue NFL groups.

Warren didn’t make the largest splash throughout his personal Shrine Bowl expertise, however he has the prototypical dimension and management skills to make his mark as an NFL deal with.

All three guys aren’t locked into any type of window at this level within the course of, Day Two or Three picks because it stands, however a powerful exhibiting all through the week would go a great distance in locking in a extra definitive vary.

Brandon Hill’s Likelihood to Wow

Hill was a considerably shocking NFL Draft entrant, selecting to forgo his years of eligibility to check the draft waters.

He was extremely productive throughout the 2021 season, and whereas he didn’t attain the identical degree in 2022 (as opposing offenses examined different areas of the secondary), he’s nonetheless an excellent athlete.

If Hill can take a look at effectively this week, operating effectively and measuring in stable dimension, NFL groups will take discover. It takes only one NFL group to essentially fall in love along with his hard-hitting skill.

No. 6 Robert Morris held on to defeat No. 11 IUPUI 67-64 within the first spherical of the Horizon League Match due to a game-winning triple by Michael Inexperienced III. In a recreation RMU as soon as led by 14, the Colonials survived on the UPMC Occasions Heart after shedding to the Jaguars on the highway Thursday to shut the common season.

Head coach Andy Toole spoke following RMU’s nail-biting win.

Inexperienced III and Kahliel Spear mentioned after the sport the second Inexperienced III related on the game-winner, what RMU means to them, this system’s first-ever house Horizon League Match recreation. 

PITTSBURGH — Pitt used nice persistence and self-discipline on the plate to mount a late comeback to defeat Bucknell, 11-8, of their dwelling opener at Charles L. Value Subject on Tuesday.

The Panthers (5-3) win makes it three straight wins and 4 of their final 5, as they took three out of 4 towards the Harvard Crimson in Port Charlotte, Fla. final weekend. This win places the all-time sequence 25-12 in favor of the Panthers over the Bison (2-5). That is additionally the fortieth dwelling opener win for the Panthers and the primary since 2020, after they defeated the Indiana State Sycamores 11-1.

Panthers head coach Mike Bell spoke on the significance of the persistence that his batters delivered to the plate towards the Bison. He stated that it allowed his staff to get some massive hits, but in addition to earn walks that led the Panthers to victory.

“We speak about profitable pitches,” Bell stated. “Typically that’s spoiling an excellent pitch by an opposing pitcher. Typically that’s spitting at issues exterior the zone. Our persistence right this moment allowed us to construct some innings…Persistence might be the important thing to right this moment. I feel it’s going to be a theme for us coaches too is persistence.”

Bucknell began the scoring within the prime of the second inning. Sophomore infielder Sean Keys reached first base on a fielder’s selection after which stole second base. Junior catcher Nick Adamo doubled to proper middle to deliver Keys dwelling for the primary run.

Pitt stared the underside of the third inning with junior outfielder Dom Popa strolling, junior catcher Johnny Lengthy III singling to maneuver Popa to 3rd base and graduate third baseman Sky Duff strolling as properly to load the bases. Junior outfielder CJ Funk then crushed a ball over the precise area wall for a grand slam to present Pitt a 4-1 lead.

FUNK IT UP‼️

A GRAND SLAM BY CJ FUNK GIVES THE PANTHERS A 4-1 LEAD‼️

📺 ACCNX https://t.co/6wz6dzghPY pic.twitter.com/sDT7YjlXVW

— Pitt Baseball (@Pitt_BASE) February 28, 2023

The Bison lower the lead within the prime of the fourth inning to 2 runs. With two runners on first base and second base, Pitt sophomore shortstop Tommy Tavarez received the out at second base, however junior second baseman Justin Acal threw the ball away from first base. This error allowed sophomore infielder Billy Kender to makes it from second base all the way in which to dwelling plate.

Panthers junior left-handed pitcher Zack Oswald got here in as a reduction pitcher within the prime of the fifth inning. He struck out a batter and received a floor out and seemed inc management.

Sadly for Oswald, he quickly misplaced that management, strolling the subsequent two batters and hitting a batter to load the bases. He walked one other batter to surrender a run after which Keys hit a double off of him to attain two runners to present Bucknell a 5-4 lead.

Pitt loaded the bases within the backside of the fifth inning, however first-year utility man AJ Nessler hit right into a double play that Bucknell executed completely to attain no runs within the inning.

The Bison continued so as to add it on within the prime of the sixth inning. Panthers redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Brady Devereaux allowed a three-run dwelling run to junior outfielder Jacob Corson that sailed over the left area wall to present the Bison an 8-4 lead.

The Panthers lower into the Bison’s benefit within the backside of the seventh inning. Duff walked, Funk singled after which senior first baseman Noah Martinez doubled down the primary bottom line, scoring each Duff and Funk. The Panthers would ultimately load the bases, however Acal struck out and Popa grounded out to finish the inning.

Pitt graduate infielder Brett Heckert got here in as a pinch hitter for Lengthy to begin the underside of the eighth inning and doubled down the third bottom line.

Heckert’s double began Pitt’s lengthy eighth inning, as Duff moved to first on a success by pitch after which Funk walked to load the bases. Martinez walked to chop the result in one, senior designated hitter Jack Anderson scored the tying run on a success by pitch and Nessler walked to present Pitt a 9-8 lead.

Tavarez struck out, however Acal hit a grounder that bounced off the Bison first baseman, sophomore Tyler Dunn, to attain Martinez. Popa walked as properly to extend Pitt’s result in three.

Graduate right-handed pitcher Nash Byran shut issues down for Pitt within the ninth inning, holding Bucknell scoreless and incomes a save.

Sophomore left-handed Quin Konuszewski, junior right-handed pitcher Dylan Simmons and Bryan made massive reduction appearances late within the victory for the Panthers over the Bison. They mixed for 3.1 innings pitched, just one hit and one stroll allowed and 7 strikeouts.

Junior right-handed pitcher Holden Phelps made his first begin for Pitt towards Bucknell. He pitched 4 innings, made 4 strikeouts, allowed three hits, two runs, one unearned run and one stroll. He’ll function the mid-week pitcher for Pitt going ahead all through 2023.

Bell stated that lots of his pitchers are new to this degree and that they may work to fill sure roles this season. He additionally recommended Phelps on his first begin and his reduction pitching late for solidifying the victory.

“When you do get a lead, as you undergo our schedule, you might have to have the ability to maintain these leads late. Having the ability to pitch and play protection will likely be a key element for us.”

Pitt travels again to Florida this weekend. They may tackle Mount St. Mary’s and Stetson in two video games every in DeLand, Fla.