Rob Petitti was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Rob finished his final collegiate season owning the status as one of the country's elite offensive linemen. He is the first Pittsburgh offensive lineman to repeat as an All-Big East performer since Ruben Brown, now a perennial All-Pro, was a three-time selection from 1992-94. Petitti has started every game the last three years at left offensive tackle.

Petitti displays excellent flexibility and balance for a player of his immense size and has what Pittsburgh position coach Bill Bleil calls 'a fast twitch,' alluding to his lightning quickness off the ball. "Rob has a lot of talent," Bleil said. "If you watch him run and his lateral movement, you will see how many positives he has as an athlete. He has a chance to be as good as any I've had the opportunity to coach and I've worked with some players who have played in the NFL a long time. He keeps getting stronger and is working extremely hard."

A two-time first-team All-Division, All-Shore, All-County and All-New Jersey Group I pick, Rob was a three-year starter as a two-way lineman at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High. He recorded 90 tackles over his last two seasons (43 as a senior and 47 as a junior) and was named Lombardi Award winner as the team's top offensive lineman. He led the team to the 1998 division championship and the state playoffs, earning Super Prep All-Northeast Region and Prep Star All-East Region accolades. He was selected to play in the New Jersey vs. New York Governor's Bowl. He lettered three times in football and twice in basketball.

Rob redshirted as a freshman at Pittsburgh, but has started every game (49) he's played in ever since for the Panthers. He was called the best offensive lineman to suit up for the school since the days of Ruben Brown (1991-94). He was selected Pittsburgh's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in his first active collegiate season and named to The Sporting News Freshman All-American Team. Petitti was a second-team All-Big East Conference choice in 2002 and elevated that status to first-team All-Big East honors as a junior in 2003. He was a second-team All-American by The Sporting News and unanimous first-team All-Big East selection by the conference coaches in his final season.