Pitt, 8
Mike Ditka, TE
Most recognizable to fans today as a television personality, or possibly as the Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka was a first round pick by the Bears out of Pitt in 1961 and immediately established himself as one of the top tight ends in the NFL. Ditka was the 1961 Rookie of the Year, and earned the first of five consecutive Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. A member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, his No. 89 jersey has been retired both in Chicago and at Pitt.
Chris Doleman, DL
A first rounder in 1985, Chris Doleman was an eight-time Pro Bowler with three NFL franchises: the Vikings, Falcons and 49ers. A three-time first team All-Pro with Minnesota, Doleman led the NFL with 21 sacks in 1989 and finished his 15-year NFL career with 150.5 sacks.
Tony Dorsett, RB
Few players in football history can compete with the combined production Tony Dorsett had at Pitt and in the NFL. In four years with the Panthers, Dorsett set an NCAA rushing record, won the Heimsan Trophy and helped Pitt win the 1976 national title. In 12 NFL seasons, primarily with the Cowboys, Dorsett gained 12,739 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns, won a Super Bowl Ring and set an NFL record that will never be broken with a 99-yard TD run.
Russ Grimm, OL
Russ Grimm earned four Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections during an 11-year NFL career with Washington, which also included three Super Bowl rings. Grimm, who currently serves as the offensive line coach for the Titans, added another championship ring as a coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rickey Jackson, LB
Grimm’s teammate at Pitt, Rickey Jackson, spent 15 years in the NFL with the Saints and 49ers. A six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro (all with New Orleans), Jackson was a member of the Super Bowl XXIX champion defense with the Niners in 1995 — his final pro season. Jackson tallied 128 career sacks.
Dan Marino, QB
The greatest quarterback never to win a Super Bowl, Dan Marino set nearly every major passing record during his 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins. Marino, who won NFL MVP honors in 1984, made nine Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro squads, amassed 61,361 passing yards and 420 touchdowns as a pro, both of which rank fifth in NFL history.
Curtis Martin, RB
A third round pick by the Patriots in 1995, Curtis Martin began his career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first team All-Pro, Martin finished his career with 14,101 career rushing yards and 90 TDs. The New York Jets, with whom Martin played from 1998-2006, retired his No. 28 jersey.
Joe Schmidt, LB
Joe Schmidt was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in each of his first 10 of 13 NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions. Schmidt helped the Lions win two NFL titles in 1953 and 1957, and he earned NFL Defensive MVP honors in 1960 and 1963.