Jason Pinkston Scouting Report

Jason Pinkston started his collegiate career at Pittsburgh as a defensive tackle. However, by the start of his freshman campaign, the 6-4, 305 pound Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native was moved to the other side of the ball. During his freshman campaign Pinkston was a backup right tackle, and occasionally used as a fullback in short yardage situations. Pinkston started the following year at right tackle again, but only played in three games before suffering a season ending shoulder injury. By 2008 Pinkston was granted another year of eligibility and moved to left tackle. He started all 12 regular season games there, but missed the bowl game because of another injury. Pinkston started 13 games in 2009 and has continued his success into his senior campaign.

Pinkston has paved the way for some great rushers during his career at Pitt. The Panthers' ground game is not doing as well in 2010, but that is in part due to an inexperienced quarterback who is still working out the kinks in the offense. Seven games into the season, Pitt is the lone undefeated team in Big East play and the road to the BCS is going through Pittsburgh for now.

Pinkston is a good talent, but he lacks the traditional height and athleticism of a left tackle in the NFL. It remains to be seen if he is a better fit at right tackle or at guard at the next level. Since he is not a left tackle, he will not likely be a first round selection, but he should be gone by the end of the second round.

3/27 Update: Pinkston's lack of a position has made him slowly move down draft boards. He certainly is not a left tackle at the next level, but there are still questions about whether he can play at right tackle or is better off at guard. He has decent foot speed (which would make him a tackle), but his strength lends itself to a guard. Pinkston will find a spot in the NFL, but most teams are not prepared to use a second or third round draft pick on him.