Pitt graduates M.J. Devonshire and Matt Goncalves were two of the four NFL draft hopefuls welcomed by the Pittsburgh Steelers for official visits on Wednesday.
Devonshire, a player in the cornerback position from Aliquippa, and Goncalves, a tackle, are generally predicted to be chosen on the third day of the draft later this month. They were joined at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex by LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith and USC wide receiver Tahj Washington as guests of the Steelers as the team continues to assess their draft choices.
The rules permit each team to invite 30 prospects, but the former Pitt players are an exception because they are considered local.
Still can’t get over this PICK 6 by former Aliquippa DB MJ Devonshire. What an atmosphere, and it was great to see the Hometown kid make the game-winning play pic.twitter.com/36RNckX0t8
— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) September 3, 2022
Devonshire started his college journey at Kentucky but during the last three seasons at his hometown school, he had eight interceptions – including three returned for touchdowns from 2022-2023. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Devonshire also served as Pitt’s primary punt returner in the last two seasons, averaging 7.5 yards including an 82-yard touchdown return against Rhode Island on Sept. 24, 2022. Goncalves (6-6, 327) made 24 college starts, his redshirt senior 2023 season cut short because of injury. But he was preseason all-ACC at left tackle a year after being third-team all-ACC and all-academic ACC in 2022. At 6-5, 306 pounds, Smith was a five-star recruit out of high school but his college career was limited to 22 games because of injury, a one-game suspension and his decision to declare for the draft after his junior season. Smith suffered a torn ACL during the 2022 season opener. Because of his high-end athleticism, Smith is regarded as a likely second-day draft pick.
Washington (5-10, 174) is considered a late-round pick. A slot receiver in college, he is expected to play in the same position in the NFL. Washington had 109 catches for 1,847 yards and 14 touchdowns in 27 games over the last two seasons. He started his college career with two seasons at Memphis, where he was a teammate of Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III.
Pitt alumni M.J. Devonshire and Matt Goncalves were among four NFL draft prospects hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers for official visits on Wednesday.
71 YARDS FOR THE TD@CALEBcsw shows off what he does best for @uscfb ✌️????#sponsoredby @Wendys pic.twitter.com/UUFUz7Bdl0
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 30, 2023
Washington (5-10, 174) is viewed as a late-round pick. A slot receiver in college projected to play there in the NFL, Washington over the past two seasons had 109 catches for 1,847 yards and 14 touchdowns in 27 games. He began his college career with two seasons at Memphis, where he was a teammate of Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III.
