One notable LSU player’s name was left off the list of 324 participants for the NFL Scouting Combine two months ago — Kirston Pittman. Pittman, who had just completed his sixth year of eligibility at LSU last season, took his omission as an insult and churned out a stellar performance almost a month later at LSU’s Pro Day. The 6-foot-2 1/2 inch, 250-pound defensive lineman ran a 4.68 40-yard dash and  bench pressed 225 pounds 28 times, to go along with a 30-inch vertical leap — leaving scouts and coaches impressed. “I knew what Kirston could do,” said LSU senior defensive lineman Charles Alexander. “It was a shame he didn’t get invited to the combine, but he came out there and showed he should have been there.” Fellow senior defensive lineman Rahim Alem agreed with Alexander’s statement and said he had faith in his teammate’s ability. “We were shocked when he didn’t get invited to the combine. He had film, he had the size, the althetic ability,” he said. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier said Pittman would have likely gone undrafted without his performance at Pro Day. Detillier now sees Pittman as a seventh-round pick. “[It] meant everything and put him back on the map,” he said. “He really, really tested out well … and showed a lot of athleticism.” Detillier said Pittman could be a third or fourth defensive end who plays anywhere from eight to 16 plays a game while also contributing on special teams at the next level.  ”He’s a technically-sound guy,” he said. “He uses his arms and hands real well, and he’s got good body balance.” Alexander said Pittman’s strongest attribute is his pass rushing ability. “He sets up the offensive lineman and baits him and hits him with moves inside and out,” he said. “Whoever takes him is going to have a real special player.” Pittman’s story generated buzz and is becoming one of the more intriguing stories of this year’s draft. The Garyville native missed back-to-back seasons in 2005 and 2006 with foot problems and a torn Achilles tendon.But Pittman proved he was healthy and started all 14 games in 2007 and recorded 68 tackles while leading the Tigers with 13 1/2 tackles for a loss and eight sacks.  The NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility last winter, but his numbers slipped in 2008, finishing with only 35 tackles and two and a half sacks. Pittman could have thrown in the towel after missing consecutive seasons but managed to persevere — something his mother, Emma Pittman, admires. “It makes me really proud of him pressing through what he had to endure to get to the next level because he’s not a quitter,” she said. Detillier said while the injury bug Pittman dealt with in college could leave NFL general managers weary, injuries are part of the game and are uncontrollable.  ”He’s a high-character guy and that does help out,” he said. “It shows that he will work himself back if he has an injury.” One advantage Pittman has during this daunting draft process is his bloodline. His brother, Thomas, played in the NFL from 2002-05 as a defensive lineman with the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos. Thomas Pittman said he has told his brother several times not to worry about when he gets picked.  ”There’s a lot of first rounders who got paid a lot of money that aren’t even worth what they were picked,” he said. “It’s all about getting into the NFL and staying there.” Though defensive line may best suit Kirston Pittman, Thomas Pittman said he could see his younger brother playing outside linebacker in the NFL. “You have to be able to play different positions,” Thomas said. “That’s the kind that stay in the NFL.” Kirston Pittman is no stranger to playing linebacker. He played outside linebacker his senior year of high school at East St. John in Reserve.Larry Dauterive, Kirston Pittman’s high school coach, said Kirston Pittman was so versatile and athletic he had no choice but to put him at linebacker. “If I had to do it over again I probably would have had him with his hand down,” he said.  Dauterive said he spoke with LSU assistant head coach Larry Porter on Monday, and Porter told him NFL teams like Kirston Pittman’s ability to drop into coverage. “It’s ironic that where I played him in high school is where they might play him in the pros,” Dauterive said. Kirston Pittman and his family have remained humble throughout the entire process and are eager for this weekend.  ”I’ve been working hard for a long time for this opportunity,” Kirston Pittman said. “Everything will work itself out.”—-Contact Sean Isabella at [email protected]