Revis opts for NFL Draft, foregoes final year at Pitt

Pitt cornerback Darrelle Revis walked into his final meeting as a Panther late – about 20… Pitt cornerback Darrelle Revis walked into his final meeting as a Panther late – about 20 minutes late to be exact.

After traffic held Revis up on his way to Pitt’s South Side facility yesterday, the 6-foot junior walked confidently into a room full of reporters, hugged a family member and left.

He returned a few long minutes later, ready to make his announcement.

“I’m sorry for making you all wait,” he apologized. “I was in traffic, but I just wanted everyone here so that I could touch on something I wanted to talk about.”

His next few statements came as no surprise to everyone involved. The two-time first team All-Big East selection officially declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft, forgoing his final season at Pitt.

“It’s been a hard decision, and it will be difficult to say goodbye,” he said, “but I’m excited about the future and what it holds for me.”

Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt sat to the right of Revis, offering support in his decision. And after Revis finished with his opening statement, Wannstedt gave him a little trouble for being late before making any serious comments.

“I thought he changed his mind,” Wannstedt joked. “That’s why I thought he was late.”

Throughout the decision process, Wannstedt said he sat down with Revis and many members of his family to make sure everything was well thought out. He even had many talks with his friends at the professional level.

“From the beginning, we wanted to make sure Darrelle had all of the information he needed to make the right decision regarding his future,” Wannstedt said. “Given the feedback he has received, we support Darrelle in his decision to apply for the NFL Draft.

“He is an exceptional football player and an even better young man.”

Revis was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award this season after recording 39 tackles and two interceptions. He returned both of his interceptions in the season for touchdowns.

His third touchdown came on a 73-yard punt return against West Virginia. The play was selected by ESPN as the 2006 College Football Play of the Year.

Revis, who hails from nearby Aliquippa, Pa., said it was a dream to stay at home and play football at the University of Pittsburgh.

So, before he left, Revis was asked of the possibility to play for the hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers own the 15th pick in the first round and could be interested in a defensive back.

“I can’t comment on that right now,” he said, not willing to discuss anything other than his announcement to leave.

Wannstedt quickly chimed in, relieving some of the pressure on his player. “I think they’re [the Steelers] looking for a coach right now, not a cornerback,” he said.

But still, Revis enters the draft as one of the top-rated corners in the country and will look to improve upon his stock in the upcoming draft combines.

“I think I’m ready,” Revis said. “I know I can be rated up there as the best, and that’s not me being cocky or anything. I just have confidence in my ability.”

Scouts Inc.’s Top 32 listing on ESPN.com has Revis ranked No. 22 on a list of players that features a few juniors who have yet to decide their draft status.

With his announcement, Revis became the fifth underclassman from Pitt to declare for the draft since 2002 – the others being Antonio Bryant (2002), Ramon Walker (2002), Larry Fitzgerald (2004) and Greg Lee (2006).

The prospects of playing professional football won’t end Revis’ time as a college student. He made it clear that it’s always been a goal of his to earn a degree and that he plans to finish college.

“You look at my mom over there, she’s probably smiling right now,” he said. “She knows I have to get my degree. I want to have it sitting way up on a wall in my house one day.”