There was a time when the NFL teams came to Pitt for offensive linemen the way they go to Southern California for quarterbacks or to Miami for running backs. But that was more than 25 years ago when Mark May, Jim Covert, Bill Fralic and Tom Ricketts were selected in the first round of the draft in 1981, '83, '85 and '89.

Since the end of that decade Pitt has not been a place the NFL comes for elite linemen. In the past 18 years only Ruben Brown in 1995 has been chosen in the first round.

That 13-year dry spell should end tomorrow. Jeff Otah, a 6-foot-6, 330-pound tackle, is expected to be taken somewhere in the middle of the first round.

Otah, who spent two years as a starter at Pitt after transferring from Valley Forge Military Academy's junior college, is considered a player with a lot of potential because he did not begin playing football until his senior year in high school.

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THE DRAFT

• When: 3 p.m. Saturday
• TV: ESPN & NFL Network.

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"When he locks onto you it's hard for players to get away from him," said Joe Butler, the head of Metro Index Scouting. "He's a real good run blocker. He's really flexible. His hands are phenomenal. He's gotten better every year. He's a late bloomer. His best days are ahead of him. He'll be a very good left tackle."

Otah is not the only Pitt offensive lineman who will be drafted over the weekend. Mike McGlynn, a four-year starter, can go anywhere from the late second through the fourth rounds.

McGlynn, from Youngstown, Ohio, has risen up draft boards because of his versatility. He can play anywhere on the line except for left tackle. McGlynn started 45 games at right tackle for Pitt and two games at right guard. He played left guard at the Senior Bowl in January and has the ability to play center.

"My versatility has definitely helped me," McGlynn said. "At the Senior Bowl I played left guard all week. I had never played left guard before. I was a little nervous at first, but I just wanted to make the most of my opportunity."

McGlynn believes his NFL future will be at guard or center. He is helped by the fact that many teams are in the market for guards and centers.

"I don't know where I'm going to go, but I know that a lot of teams are in the pool," he said. "There are 15 or 16 teams that are in play. Some other years there might only be five or six teams in play. That's good for me. There are a lot of teams that can use someone to come in and play, and another 10 or so that can use a backup. I just want to be on a team and earn a spot."

Four other Pitt players have a chance of getting drafted or being a free agent. Defensive end Joe Clermond, cornerback Kennard Cox, tight end Darrell Strong and defensive end/linebacker Chris McKillop, the lone WPIAL player from Pitt with draft aspirations. McKillop played at Kiski Area.

Butler believes Strong can surprise at the next level.

"He's strong, tough and he can catch," Butler said. "I think he's kind of a sleeper. He is a good, solid player."