Feb. 23, 2010

Two of Pitt football’s former standouts, tight ends Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham, have accepted invitations to take part in the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, held this week in Indianapolis, Ind.

Both four-year contributors at Pitt, Dickerson and Byham will workout alongside some of the nation’s top talent in front of NFL coaches, scouts and executives from each of the leagues’ 32 teams. This year’s Combine begins Wednesday, Feb. 24, and runs through Tuesday, March 2.

Dickerson (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) became the first Pitt tight end to be named first team All-America (Football Writers Association of America) since Mike Ditka in 1960. A first-team All-Big East selection and a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2009, Dickerson pulled in 49 catches for 529 yards in 2009 and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. His 10 touchdowns set a Pitt single-season record for a tight end.

Byham (Franklin, Pa./Franklin), a team captain and three-year starter who played in 48 games at tight end for Pitt, was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2009, becoming the first tight end in Pitt history to earn All-Big East accolades twice in a career (he was a first-team selection in 2008). Selected to compete in the prestigious East-West Shrine Game, he compiled 10 receptions for 108 yards (10.8 avg.) on the year and was an integral part of Pitt’s prolific rushing attack in 2009. He tallied 47 catches for 612 yards and three touchdowns during his career at Pitt.

Live workouts at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine will be streamed online beginning on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 9 a.m., at www.nfl.com. The NFL Network will also provide TV coverage beginning on Thursday, Feb. 25.

The Panthers finished the 2009 season with a 10-3 record and ranked No. 15 in the final polls. Tickets for the 2010 season are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.pittsburghpanthers.com or by calling 800-643-PITT.