Published: April 30, 2007 12:14 am      

Pitt’s Session, Blades go in NFL draft

PITTSBURGH — At least three Pitt players will get a chance to advance their football careers.

Linebackers Clint Session and H.B. Blades were taken in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively, during the second day of the NFL draft on Sunday.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis was taken in the first round Saturday. Session was the Indianapolis Colts’ second pick in the fourth round, while Blades became the Washington Redskins’ second straight linebacker taken. They also took one in the fifth round.

“When I went on my visits, I went to the Colts and got a real good vibe there,” Session said. “They seemed to be a good fit for me, because they value linebackers who might not be too tall but can run. And that’s me. I’m an athletic guy, and they play the type of defense that I can fit into.

“I know they traded Cato June, but they still have a lot of good linebackers there. But I can fit into their depth chart somewhere, outside linebacker and on special teams. I don’t know much else about them. I guess I’ll find out soon enough, but I think I can go in there and make the team.”

Session played a lot of football at Pitt, but only the past two seasons as an outside linebacker. He was an inside linebacker before coach Dave Wannstedt arrived for his final two years.

Session’s best season, and not coincidentally his healthiest, was this past one.

He had 101 total tackles, 67 solo, 12 stops behind the line with a sack, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery to go with one spectacular 78-yard interception for a touchdown.

“I owe a lot to Coach Wannstedt for my development the past couple of years at Pitt, and he raved about me,” Session said. “I dreamed about this for a long time, and it finally played out for me. I’m going to get a chance to play in the NFL, I’m so excited about that.”

Blades joins his father, Bennie, who played for the Detroit Lions, and his uncles Brian and Al, who played for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, respectively.

The Redskins upgraded their linebacker depth with Southern Cal outside linebacker Dallas Sartz in the fifth round and Blades in the sixth.

Former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko, punter Adam Graessle and center Joe Villani are candidates to be signed as undrafted free agents this week.