Panthers invited to NFL Combine

‘ ‘ ‘ One day after the 2008 NFL season concluded with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Super… ‘ ‘ ‘ One day after the 2008 NFL season concluded with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Super Bowl XLIII, three former Pitt standouts were invited to take part in the first major prelude to next year, the NFL Scouting Combine. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The trio is headed by running back LeSean McCoy and linebacker Scott McKillop. McCoy was a unanimous first-team All-Big East selection, while McKillop earned the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Offensive lineman C.J. Davis also was invited to the combine. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The event draws NFL scouts, coaching staffs and many others who observe and evaluate the most talented draft prospects of each year’s class. This year it runs Feb. 18-24. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ McCoy rushed for 1,488 yards and 21 touchdowns in a sterling sophomore campaign. He officially declared for the 2009 NFL Draft on Jan. 14 and is expected to be a first or second-round pick. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ McKillop paced the country in tackles during his 2007 junior season, averaging 12.6 per game. He finished 10th in the same category for 2008. McKillop played in the Senior Bowl this past month. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Davis started 43 straight games on Pitt’s offensive line and provided a major boost this year when center Robb Houser went down for the year with an injury. Davis, the team’s usual starting left guard, moved to center to finish the season.