Drafted: Counting down the best western Pennsylvania football players picked in the NFL Draft

Charlie Batch, the pride of Steel Valley, was a two-sport star in high school and led the Ironmen to enough success that he drew a scholarship from Eastern Michigan University.

It was during those four years playing quarterback in Ypsilanti that Batch turned himself into an NFL prospect after re-writing the Eastern Michigan record books. 

Those numbers caught the eye of the nearest NFL franchise and Batch was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2nd round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

Batch served as the Lions' starter for the better part of four seasons before signing with his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002. 

He became a fixture as the Steelers' backup and carved out an impressive 14-year NFL career while winning two Super Bowl rings.

His career highlight came on December 2, 2012 when he led the Steelers to a comeback win over division-leading Baltimore.

After he retired from the NFL as a player, Batch focused on two things -- broadcasting and charity work.

He founded the Best of the Batch Foundation and has raised millions of dollars to help local kids with school supplies and educational support.

Batch has also served as a Steelers television analyst and worked as a broadcast partner alongside KDKA-TV Sports Director Bob Pompeani for the last decade. 

As a senior at New Castle High School, Geno Stone was a star on both the football field and on the basketball court.

Despite his success in both sports, Stone wasn't considered a top prospect by most major college programs. 

The only big-time college scholarship offer Stone received was from the Iowa Hawkeyes, which is where he played for just three seasons.

During his three seasons playing for Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, Stone started 38 games and recorded 81 solo tackles with six interceptions before he decided to enter the NFL Draft early in hopes of being selected in the middle rounds.

Once again, Stone was overlooked by scouts and wasn't taken until the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the 7th and final round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He spent his rookie season on and off the Ravens' active roster but eventually became a regular contributor on Baltimore's defense for the next three years.

Here in Pittsburgh, Stone will likely be remembered for making the grab on Ben Roethlisberger's final career interception during a game in Baltimore.   

In 2024, he signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Bengals.

Through his first five seasons in the NFL, Stone recorded 140 solo tackles and 12 interceptions. 

As a defensive back at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, Damar Hamlin was one of the top recruits in the country, earning WPIAL Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year honors.

When it came time to pick where to play college football, Hamlin chose to stay in Oakland and play for the Pitt Panthers.

He lived up to his lofty reputation at Pitt, playing in 48 games for the Panthers while racking up 290 tackles and six interceptions during his college career.

His production at Pitt led to him being drafted the Buffalo Bills in the 6th round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Hamlin saw limited action as a rookie, but became a starter in 2022.

Late that season, Hamlin became internationally known when tragedy struck during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.

Hamlin collapsed on the field and went into cardiac arrest after making a tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. His heartbeat was restored on the field with the use of CPR and an AED. 

Initially, the outlook was grim, but Hamlin's health improved and he returned to the field the following season.

In 2024, Hamlin posted his best professional output to date, starting 14 games for the Bills and recording two interceptions. 

As a senior running back at West Allegheny, Dorin Dickerson was considered one of the top high school football players in the entire country. 

Dickerson had scholarship offers from just about every major college program, but chose to stay home and play for Dave Wannstedt at the University of Pittsburgh in favor of schools like Iowa, Michigan, and Penn State. 

While playing for the Panthers at Pitt, Dickerson moved from running back to wide receiver and actually switched to defense for one season before finding a home at tight end.

After graduation, Dickerson wowed scouts at the NFL Combine by running a 4.4 second 40-yard dash, a time that still stands as the record for any tight end in history of the combine.

Dickerson was drafted by Houston in the 7th round in 2010 and appeared in seven games for Houston as a rookie. 

The following year, Dickerson played for the Buffalo Bills before finishing his playing career with the Detroit Lions. 

Currently, Dickerson hosts the morning drive radio show on 93.7 The Fan and has become a fixture in the Pittsburgh sports media scene. 

Bruce Gradkowski, a South Hills native, is a true "Yinzer."

He grew up in Dormont and played high school football right down the street from his house at Seton LaSalle Catholic High School.

During his high school career, Gradkowski set WPIAL passing records which were previously held by Dan Marino. 

Gradkowski threw for a record-breaking 2,754 yards during his senior season, a record that stood for 15 years before it was broken. 

When he moved on to the college level, Gradkowski continued his record-setting ways at the University of Toledo where he became the first quarterback in NCAA history to complete more than 70% of his passes in consecutive seasons.

In 2006, Gradkowski was picked in the 6th round of the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quickly became their starter in his rookie year.

Gradkowski played two seasons with the Buccaneers before becoming well-traveled in the NFL, playing for six different teams throughout a decade-long career.

The highlight of his career happened right here in Pittsburgh on December 6, 2009 when he led the undermanned Oakland Raiders to victory against his hometown Steelers at Heinz Field, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdown passes.

Gradkowski finished his playing career spending three seasons a backup quarterback in Pittsburgh with the Steelers.

In total as a player, Gradkowski threw for 4,057 yards in his career with 21 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He's now an assistant coach with the Detroit Lions. 

As a high school player at South Fayette, nobody thought Justin Watson would eventually be considered one of the top players ever drafted from western Pennsylvania, but just a decade later, he was proving them all wrong.

During his senior year South Fayette, Watson helped lead his team to a 16-0 record and a PIAA state championship title.  

NFL success didn't come easy for Watson, however. 

He wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school and took the best scholarship he was offered at the University of Pennsylvania. 

During his time at Penn in the Ivy League, Watson surprisingly became an NFL Draft prospect after setting school records for catches, receiving yards, touchdown catches, and all-purpose yards.

In 2018, he was drafted in the 5th round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won his first Super Bowl, but played sparingly over four seasons.

His career took off in 2022 when he signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.

In three seasons with the Chiefs, Watson caught 119 passes and won two more Super Bowl titles.

With seven seasons in the books, Watson has 87 catches for 1,322 yards and nine touchdowns while picking up three Super Bowl rings. 

This past offseason, Watson signed with the Houston Texans where he will begin his 8th NFL season. 

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