PITTSBURGH — Pitt Panthers veteran offensive lineman Jake Kradel will have a shot to compete in the NFL, as he told Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he is attending the Indianapolis Colts rookie minicamp.

Kradel spent six seasons with the Panthers from 2018-23 and played a variety of positions across the offensive line, with 52 games played and 46 starts.

The Butler, Pa. native didn’t play in any games in 2018, redshirting, but then played in 12 games in 2019, including starting the seven final games at right guard.

Kradel would start and play eight games at right guard in 2020 and continued to do so in 2021, starting the first 10 games, nine at right guard and one at center against New Hampshire, before suffering a season-ending injury, preventing him from playing in the ACC Championship game.

He started all 13 games in 2022, with five starts at his normal right guard and eight starts at center, when Owen Drexel suffered an injury after the second game of the season.

Kradel would play in nine games and started eight in 2023, his final collegiate season, starting the first three at center and then moving to guard after suffering an injury, starting five games back at right guard.

He isn’t the only former Pitt player who will compete at the Colts rookie minicamp, as tight end Malcolm Epps will join him there.

The Colts also drafted Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves with the No. 79 overall pick in the Third Round. They also signed former Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis as an undrafted free agent.

Pitt had two other players drafted, as the New Orleans Saints took wide receiver Bub Means with the No. 170 overall pick in the Fifth Round and the Las Vegas Raiders selected cornerback M.J. Devonshire with the No. 229 overall pick in the Seventh Round. The Washington Commanders signed cornerback A.J. Woods as an undrafted free agent, and so too did the New England Patriots with former defensive end John Morgan III.

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The 21st annual Race Away From Domestic Violence 5K will hit the streets of Indianapolis this summer, all with the hopes of raising awareness and eliminating domestic violence.

The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Domestic Violence Network are organizing the event.

In a news release, organizers said, “Over the past 20 years, ICADV has raised over $400,000 from this event to directly impact survivors by supporting the resources and programs that are most impactful to their needs including legal, housing, and economic support.”

Laura Berry, executive director of ICADV reflected on the impact of the race, saying, “ICADV’s mission since 1980 has been to prevent and eliminate violence and we fulfill the mission by providing comprehensive and inclusive services that increase survivor’s safety and support financial stability. Funds raised from the 21st annual Race Away From Domestic Violence will help ICADV reach that goal.”

“DVN is proud to partner with ICADV to work towards our shared goal of eliminating domestic violence,” said Kelly McBride, executive director of the Domestic Violence Network. “We are deeply committed to furthering our work to end the culture that leads to domestic violence, and this partnership allows us to pool our resources to address systemic issues that leave many behind.”

Participants can expect creative activities for kids as well as water and healthy snacks for participants. After the race, there will be an awards ceremony to highlight the fastest participants and top fundraisers.

It will be held on August 10. The 5K course will begin at the IU Michael A. Carroll Stadium. It offers views of the White River and the Indianapolis Zoo.

Pre-register for the Race Away here.

On the final day of the NFL draft, seconds stretch into minutes into hours. Prospects wait around in their homes, restless, as they ponder the potential of an undrafted free-agent contract. Draft picks are announced in increasingly unusual fashion, and even the most devoted draftniks grow exhausted.

The ennui of the draft’s closing rounds, however, created a priceless moment Saturday. In the seventh round, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard called Oklahoma defensive lineman Jonah Laulu to inform him the Colts were making him the draft’s 234th selection.

Laulu couldn’t believe it, and Indianapoils captured the moment on video.

“Jonah… Chris Ballard with the Colts,” Ballard said. “Welcome to Indy, man. We’re drafting you right here.”

“That’s not a prank call, is it?” Laulu asked.

“It’s not a prank call, I promise you!” Ballard replied, laughing.

“It’s been a stressful day,” Laulu chuckled.

Ballard then handed the phone over to coach Shane Steichen, who welcomed Laulu to the team. The Las Vegas native registered 8.5 sacks over two years for the Sooners after beginning his career with Hawaii.