Kyle Louis Tops Pitt’s 2026 NFL Draft Prospects

Most of Pitt’s draft-eligible players will more than likely be signed on as undrafted free agents. However, there are three players expected to hear their names called during the NFL Draft. Below is a breakdown of those three.

LB Kyle Louis

Louis, the 6-foot, 220-pound LB from East Orange, N.J., seems to have improved his draft stock with a solid showing at the NFL Combine. He scored very well on the physical tests, running a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, fifth-best among linebackers. Louis lodged a vertical leap of 39.5 inches, fourth best, and recorded a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump, second-best. He impressed scouts the most with his change-of-direction numbers. His 6.97-second run in the three-cone was second best, while Louis had the third-best finishes in both the 20-yard shuttle (4.26 seconds) and the 10-yard split (1.58 seconds).

Louis has built a tremendous resume over the last two seasons. In 2024, he was named a First Team All-American by several outlets. Louis finished 2024 with 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four INTs. Louis’ numbers dipped a bit in 2025 due to a head injury, which kept him out of two games. Still, Louis posted 81 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Louis projects as a late second or early third-round pick, according to most NFL Draft analysts. Some scouts are intrigued by his position versatility. Louis has been graded out at both linebacker and safety. That kind of versatility will be valuable to any NFL franchise.

RB Desmond Reid

Reid followed offensive coordinator Kade Bell from Western Carolina to Pitt in Spring 2024. The 5-foot-8, 175-pounder from Miami Gardens, Fla., brought a familiarity to Pitt’s new offense, stepping into the RB1 role.

Reid finished 2024 with 962 rushing yards, five TDs, 579 receiving yards, four receiving TDs. He also chipped in 159 punt return yards and a TD. Reid’s all-purpose abilities landed him on several All-American ballots as an All-Purpose back.

Last season was a down year for Reid as he battled injuries throughout the season. Those numbers dropped to 278 rushing yards, two rushing TDs, 317 receiving yards, and two receiving TDs. Some point to his small stature as a potential durability issue in the pros. However, with his abilities in both the run and pass game, as well as being a physical runner, Reid will give the team that drafts him a solid third-down back. Reid is projected as a fifth- to seventh-round pick.

DB Rashad Battle

Of Pitt’s three players most likely to be drafted, Battle is the one mentioned the least. Battle did not get an invite to the NFL Combine, but he did get an invite to the American Bowl, typically indicative of a day three pick. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds, Battle’s size is very attractive to NFL scouts.

Positives for Battle are that he is a physical corner who plays on the boundary. He is good at using his length to break up passes. However, the negatives for Battle are his injury history, which includes missing most of the 2022 and all of the 2023 seasons due to injuries. Battle is also prone to giving up catches, having had 33 receptions against him in 2025.

Statistically, aside from the receptions given up in 2025, Battle has been a solid DB. Battle has 78 tackles and 13 passes broken up combined for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. With the right team and coaching, Battle can develop into a late-round gem, utilizing his size in coverage. Battle is a projected seventh-round pick.

Other Pitt Panther Draft Prospects

Twelve other Panthers will participate in the Pro Day activities. The players on offense are: RB Jalynn Williams, TEs Justin Holmes and Jake Overman, WRs Deuce Spann and Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr. and OL Jeff Persi. Pitt’s defensive players include: DBs Kavir Bains-Marquez, Tamon Lynum and Javon McIntyre, DLs Blaine Spires and Joey Zelinsky and P Caleb Junko.

The object for these players is to impress the scouts enough to earn an undrafted free agent contract. Or, if the player is a borderline draft pick, increase the likelihood of making that draft dream a reality. While head coach Pat Narduzzi gets his share of criticism, he gets players to the NFL. Six Panthers were drafted in 2023, and three each in 2024 and 2025. If the three above are drafted, that will give Narduzzi 15 picks over four years.