Pitt Football

Former USC quarterback Kedon Slovis announced in an article for The Players' Tribune Tuesday that he is transferring to Pittsburgh. 

"USC will always be a special place to me," he wrote. "But now it’s time for me to start a new chapter. For my next two years of eligibility, I’ll be playing quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh."

Head coach Pat Narduzzi welcomed Slovis to the team on Twitter:

Panther Nation let’s welcome @Kedonslovis to Pittsburgh! #H2P pic.twitter.com/kcO63rc7xE

— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 21, 2021

Slovis cited the chance to play with Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison as one of the reasons he made the switch:

I was so excited when Coach Narduzzi called, because I knew that Pitt and this program were the right fit for me to keep developing into the best leader I can be. I’m ready to win now—and talking to the players who are returning, and seeing how hungry they are for next season, that got me pumped. They have a lot of talented players coming back. And, man ... getting to throw the ball to the guy who just won the Biletnikoff?? That’s something you don't pass up. The culture and identity that Coach Narduzzi has created is everything I want to be a part of.

He'll be attempting to replace Kenny Pickett, the Heisman finalist who threw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season while adding 241 yards and five scores on the ground. He led the Panthers to an ACC title this year before declaring for the NFL draft, foregoing the chance to face Michigan State in the Peach Bowl. 

While Pickett was one of the best players in college football this season, Slovis saw his career at USC take a different trajectory. After making a splash with the Trojans as a freshman in 2019, throwing for 3,502 yards, 30 scores and nine interceptions, injuries and the emergence of Jaxson Dart this season limited him over the past two campaigns.

He went 16-10 overall as USC's starter.

"Whether it's injuries, or having to navigate a season with COVID and so many unknowns... some things you just don't plan for," Slovis wrote. "And everything didn't go as I planned during the rest of my time at USC. There were obstacles, for sure, and we didn't win all the games we wanted to. But that didn’t stop me from giving all that I had to this team over these last three years."

Kedon Slovis is headed to Pitt. We don't know what kind of conversations he had with Lincoln Riley, so hopefully this is the best move for both guys, but wow. https://t.co/EZRnXbgoHY

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) December 21, 2021

Add in the fear in Norman that star freshman Caleb Williams could follow Lincoln Riley west to USC, and it wasn't a huge shock that Slovis is transferring. It's a big addition for Pitt, which will look to build on its successful 2021 campaign, while Dart remains the presumed starter going forward for the Trojans.

After a stellar senior season, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett announced on Twitter that he will enter the 2022 NFL draft.

Pickett said he will not play in Pitt's Peach Bowl matchup against Michigan State and he will instead focus on preparing and training for his impending NFL career.

Forever a Pitt Man #H2P pic.twitter.com/fq0Sw06dIa

— Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett10) December 17, 2021

Pickett led the Panthers to an ACC championship this season, defeating Wake Forest 45-21 in the title game. It was the program's first conference title since 2010 when it was in the Big East.

The fifth-year senior ends his collegiate career as Pitt's single-season and all-time record holder in passing yards, touchdowns and completions. Pickett threw for 4,319 passing yards and 42 touchdowns this season, surpassing Dan Marino's all-time school record for touchdowns in the ACC title game.

Thanks to Pickett's standout season, he was named ACC Player of the Year and was awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm. He was also named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing third in the voting behind winner and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young along with Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Pickett had said after the conference championship game that he planned to play for the Panthers in the postseason. Pitt losing offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who resigned and accepted the same position at Nebraska on Dec. 7, could have factored into Pickett's decision to forgo the Peach Bowl.

In Pickett's absence, Pitt will likely turn to backup quarterback Nick Patti to start against Michigan State. In five appearances this season in relief of Pickett, Patti has completed 12 of 14 passes for 140 yards.

There is no clear favorite to be the first quarterback taken in the 2022 NFL draft, but Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett has impressed scouts.

One AFC executive provided an interesting comparison, telling Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated: "He's a good version of Johnny Football—better frame, head on shoulders and arm, and he's a better leader."

Johnny Manziel (6'0", 207 lbs) was a first-round pick in 2014 out of Texas A&M, but he only lasted two seasons and eight starts in the NFL.

The executive continued: "Athletic, gutsy. … Kind of hit the scene hard out of nowhere like [Joe] Burrow and balled out. Love the kid. He's got the it factor. Kid has balls. … We have a ways to go, but definitely if the draft was today, he would be [the first quarterback] taken."

The 6'3", 220-pound senior enters the bowl season with 4,319 passing yards and 42 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 13 games, adding 233 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Pickett also led Pittsburgh to an ACC title and an appearance in the Peach Bowl while finishing third in voting for the Heisman Trophy.

He turned heads during the ACC Championship Game with a fake slide that led to a rushing touchdown:

Kenny Pickett BURNED Wake Forest on this TD 💨

(via @Pitt_FB)pic.twitter.com/ZgWJLZ1upL

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 5, 2021

Despite his production and highlight-reel plays, there could be some concern of him being a one-year wonder after never topping 13 touchdown passes in any of his previous four seasons at Pittsburgh.

For recent similar examples, Joe Burrow has played well in the NFL after just one year of college dominance, but the jury is still out on 2020 breakout star Zach Wilson.

It leaves a wide-open race for the top quarterback in the 2022 class, with Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, Liberty's Malik Willis and Ole Miss' Matt Corral the other top contenders.   

Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addison is the winner of the 2021 Biletnikoff Award, which recognizes college football's best receiver in the FBS. Any player who caught a pass during the 2021 campaign was eligible for the honor. 

Addison beat out finalists David Bell (Purdue) and Jameson Williams (Alabama) for the award. 

Addison, a sophomore at Pitt, had a breakout season in 2021 with 93 catches for 1,479 yards and 17 touchdowns. The 19-year-old led the country in touchdown receptions and ranked first among all Power Five receivers in receiving yards.

"As a kid and playing receiver at this level, that's what every kid's dream is," Addison said in November after learning he'd been named a semifinalist for the award, per Johnny McGonigal of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "For me to be mentioned with the rest of the receivers on that list means a lot. But the job's not finished. I've gotta keep working and, you know, I have to do a lot more to help the team win. Right now, I'm not really focused on the award. I'm just trying to get this win this week coming up."

The 175-pound receiver clinched his spot as a Biletnikoff Award finalist with a 202-yard, four-touchdown performance in Pitt's 48-38 win over Virginia on Nov. 20. It was his best performance of the 2021 season. 

Addison is just the third Pitt player to be named a Biletnikoff finalist, joining Larry Fitzgerald (2003) and Antonio Bryant (2000), who both won the award. 

Addison warded off some strong competition for this effort.

Bell, a junior at Purdue, had 93 catches for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns. Williams, a junior at Alabama, had the best season of his career in 2021 after transferring from Ohio State. He caught 68 passes for 1,445 yards and 15 touchdowns.

In the end, Addison's efforts for the ACC champions earned him a great individual honor.

For the first time since 2014, there is a new ACC champion. While Clemson has dominated the conference as of late, the No. 17 Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the No. 18 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 45-21 on Saturday to win their first ACC title. 

The Panthers had appeared in the ACC title game just once before Saturday's contest, falling to Clemson in 2018. Pittsburgh also had only faced the Demon Deacons just once before, with the Panthers coming out on top in a 34-13 win in 2018. 

Notable Player Stats

Kenny Pickett, QB, PITT: 20/33 for 253 YDS, 2 TD and 6 CAR for 20 YDS, 1 TD

Sam Hartman, QB, WAKE: 21/46 for 213 YDS, 2 TD, 4 INT and 11 CAR for 1 TD

Jordan Addison, WR, PITT: 8 REC for 126 YDS

Taylor Morin, WR, WAKE: 4 REC for 83 YDS, 1 TD

Israel Abanikanda, RB, PITT: 9 CAR for 55 YDS, 2 TD

Kenny Pickett Impressive for Panthers in Win

Fifth-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is viewed as one of the top QB prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft, had an impressive performance in Saturday's win.

The 23-year-old led the Panthers on two consecutive touchdown drives to open the game, and his fake slide on a 58-yard score might have been the highlight of the night.

KENNY PICKETT FAKED THE SLIDE AND RAN 58 YARDS FOR THE TD 😱 pic.twitter.com/EypNNJZYHE

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 5, 2021

Pickett also set a record on his first touchdown pass of the game, a 22-yard strike to Rodney Hammond Jr. He passed legendary NFL quarterback Dan Marino for the most touchdown passes in Pitt history.

Most TD Passes in Pitt History

1. Kenny Pickett, 80
2. Dan Marino, 79#H2P » @HeismanTrophy pic.twitter.com/32FiKeFFWZ

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 5, 2021

Kenny Pickett has tied the ACC record for most TD passes in a season!

That's 41 for his 2021 campaign 🙌

Watch 📺 ABC#H2P » @KennyPickett10 pic.twitter.com/6DI57wb9iw

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 5, 2021

Pickett continued his tremendous evening in the second quarter, hitting Jared Wayne with a four-yard score to set the ACC record for the most touchdown passes in a single season, passing Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Sam Howell and Trevor Lawrence.

RECORD » ACC Passing TD

The most prolific passing season in ACC history belongs to @KennyPickett10 🔥#H2P » @HeismanTrophy pic.twitter.com/BRHDlduLcq

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 5, 2021

Some @ACCFootball History ✍️@KennyPickett10 » @JWayne_5

Kenny Pickett sets the ACC season record for TD passes (42) with a 🎯

Watch 📺 ABC#H2P » https://t.co/pY4cQfrds1 pic.twitter.com/XzHhiCQwZ9

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 5, 2021

Pickett continued his incredible night in the second half, leading the Panthers on two more touchdown drives. His performance had many NFL fans clamoring for their teams to draft him this spring:

I really like Kenny Pickett. I will not hate it if he ends up in Orange & Blue in April. #BroncosCountry

— Woodsy🦉 (@BroncoWoodsy) December 5, 2021

I like Kenny Pickett's game... reminds me of Justin Herbert. Should be first QB off board.

— Cory Fleming (@cflem17) December 5, 2021

https://twitter.com/phil_clark/status/1467337309616025603

The Pittsburgh Steelers NEED to draft Kenny Pickett. #CollegeFootball #Pitt

— Alec Rapp (@AlecRapp) December 5, 2021

ESPN projected Pickett to be taken in the first round of the 2022 Draft. However, he was projected to be the second quarterback off the board behind Matt Corral of Ole Miss. 

Regardless, Pickett's performance on Saturday night certainly improved his draft stock, so we'll just have to wait and see where he falls in the latest mock drafts following the College Football Playoff. 

It should also be noted that sophomore running back Israel Abanikanda and sophomore wide receiver Jordan Addison had impressive performances against the Demon Deacons. 

Sam Hartman's Turnovers Cost Wake Forest

While Hartman tossed four interceptions in Saturday's loss to Pittsburgh, the sophomore quarterback has a bright future ahead. He led the Demon Deacons on three consecutive touchdown drives to keep Wake Forest even with the Panthers for much of the first half.

Go up and get it, @taylormorin20 🎩 https://t.co/0Sfydkw409 pic.twitter.com/q7ctRj4dRo

— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) December 5, 2021

Hartman's issues didn't begin until just before halftime. After leading his third touchdown drive of the game, the North Carolina native tossed an interception before being forced to punt on two consecutive drives before halftime.

Wake Forest started with the ball after halftime, but Hartman and the Demon Deacons offense weren't able to muster much as they were forced to punt on three straight drives.

Hartman then tossed his second interception of the night on the team's fourth drive of the half. It was costly, as the Panthers converted the turnover into a touchdown to take a 31-21 lead with 47 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Hartman followed that up with his second consecutive interception with 13:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. The turnover was once again turned into a Pitt touchdown.

Hartman's third straight interception -- a pick-six -- gave the Panthers a 45-21 lead with 11:42 remaining in the game. That score put things out of reach for the Demon Deacons.

Wake Forest's last 11 drives...

INT
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
INT
INT
INT
Downs

With 2 INT by @Erick_Hallett4 🔥#H2P » #BeatWake pic.twitter.com/u3MAy3LwSw

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 5, 2021

Hartman was eventually replaced by freshman quarterback Mitch Griffis. 

Despite Hartman's struggles, he could easily have Wake Forest back in the ACC title game next season. He entered Saturday's game completing 60.3 percent of his passes for 3,711 yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 343 yards and 10 scores.

Seeing as how Hartman is a sophomore and has plenty of college football ahead of him, there's no reason to believe he won't keep improving as the years go on. He'll also have the opportunity to bounce back in the team's bowl game.

All things considered, keep Hartman on your radar for the 2022 season and beyond.

What's Next?

Both teams won't make the College Football Playoff, but what a day it was for the two schools. Wake Forest now awaits its bowl game. 

A battle between Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell is getting a lot of attention among NFL personnel.

The two quarterback prospects will face off Thursday night as Pittsburgh hosts North Carolina, but the stands will be filled with scouts and executives:

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett & UNC QB Sam Howell will draw plenty of in-person eyes tonight. Some 30+ scouts are credentialed for game, including at least five GMs: Kevin Colbert (Steelers), Mike Mayock, George Paton (Broncos), Howie Roseman (Eagles) and Rick Spielman (Vikings). #ESPN

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) November 11, 2021

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. listed Pickett as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class on his latest big board, while Howell was rated fifth-best at the position.

Pickett has put himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation this season with 3,171 passing yards and 29 touchdowns with only three interceptions in nine games for Pittsburgh. He's led the Panthers to a 7-2 record, including a 4-1 mark in the conference to sit first in the ACC Coastal division.

North Carolina (5-4, 3-3) has a chance to cut into that lead with a win Thursday, but it will need a strong performance from Howell.

The junior has 2,408 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season, but he already has seven interceptions and his efficiency is down from 2020. His completion percentage has dropped from 68.1 to 63.1 and his passer rating fell from 179.1 to 157.9.

It's created doubt over a player who some projected as the No. 1 draft pick heading into the season.

There is still time for the passer to turn things around, and he will have a huge stage to do it on Thursday.

Among the teams in attendance, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos are likely seeking long-term answers at quarterback while the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings could look for younger upgrades over Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins, respectively.

The Philadelphia Eagles might still have doubts about Jalen Hurts as they look to the draft for another franchise quarterback.   

HEIGHT: 6'4 3/8"

WEIGHT: 259 lbs

        

POSITIVES

—Hand placement is a positive for him, and his ability to win with his hands in general is his biggest selling point.

—His balance can make up for his lack of bend after winning with his hands.

—Dip and rip moves are not always present because of how he plays hand games, but he has flashed the ability to do so when he is not playing with a high pad level.

—Already comes from a college system built for him to focus around being a half-man schematically, which is what he will be doing in the NFL.

—Has a high football IQ and does a great job of reading the backfield before committing to a path of action.

—Plays assignment football instead of over-penetrating when left unblocked on the back side.

—One blocker is not enough to stop him in the pursuit of the ball.

—An effort player who might make the most impact as a slow churner to the slide side of pass protections.

       

NEGATIVES

—Overall athleticism is not above average for a contributing edge-rusher at the NFL level.

—Foot speed could be an issue for him in turning pressure into sacks.

—Developing explosion off the ball will be crucial to his upside as a professional.

—For his length, he is a finesse player who uses his hands to swipe free more than he delivers blows and resets the line of scrimmage.

       

2020 STATISTICS

34 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles

      

NOTES

—Had a season-ending ACL injury in 2019 training camp.

—Started all but seven games of his college career, not including his injury-ravaged 2019 season and his redshirt year.

—Declared for the NFL draft before Pittsburgh played its final game of the year on the road against Georgia Tech.

           

OVERALL

Weaver is a quality pass-rusher who at worst will immediately contribute in a three-man rotation on the edge. How teams will view his upside will depend on how much they believe he can add onto his hand-technique-based skill set by developing more explosion with his first step. That will be the difference between Weaver maxing out as a Derek Barnett type of player, a fine pass-rusher, and a Chandler Jones, a perennial Pro Bowler with advanced hand fighting as his primary method to victory.

       

GRADE: 7.8/10 (Round 2)

OVERALL RANK: 40/300

POSITION RANK: EDGE3

PRO COMPARISON: Derek Barnett

          

Written by B/R NFL Scout Justis Mosqueda

The University of Pittsburgh football team announced Friday it is opting out of a potential bowl game this year, citing the "especially taxing experience, physically and mentally" of playing the 2020 season.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi issued a statement on the decision: 

"In my three decades as a coach, I've never been around a group of players who have faced greater challenges beyond the field than our team this year. And yet, from the time they arrived back on campus in early June, these young men never wavered—not in the face of rigorous health protocols, multiple rounds of COVID testing each week or while handling the mental and physical challenges of playing 11 games in a pandemic."

The Panthers (6-5) are the second ACC team to opt out of bowl season following a similar announcement from Boston College on Thursday. 

"Our student-athletes have sacrificed so much since June to even make this season possible for BC and our fans and now it is time for them to focus on finishing up the semester strong and going home to spend time with their families and loved ones," Eagles athletic director Pat Kraft said. 

Pitt has no games remaining on its 2020 schedule.

The Panthers had gone to two straight bowl games, earning a 34-30 victory in the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl over Eastern Michigan. 

Narduzzi built on that success in 2020 with wins against No. 24 Louisville, Florida State and Virginia Tech—though losses to No. 13 Miami, No. 3 Clemson and No. 3 Notre Dame showed how much further the program has to go.

Now those problems are for next year. 

"Despite this unprecedented environment, our team finished strong concluding with last night's win at Georgia Tech," Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke said. "We are thankful and proud of how they handled the past six months and want them to have a well-deserved restful holiday season with their families and loved ones."   

                                 

The NCAA announced a series of penalties against the University of Pittsburgh for violations by former head men's basketball coach Kevin Stallings and current head football coach Pat Narduzzi.

According to a press release issued Thursday, Stallings and Narduzzi committed coaching violations that resulted in their programs exceeding the number of permissible coaches. 

Stallings allowed three non-coaching staff members to assist in practices and instituted an "alert system" to ensure the violations would not be caught. He also instructed the deletion of a practice video capturing the violations.

Narduzzi was present when three former members of the team's quality control staff performed coaching duties. He also implemented a system whereby music would be played during practices to alert when "outside parties" would be at practices to check for compliance.

The NCAA announced Narduzzi will serve a show-cause penalty that keeps him out of two practices in August. He was also barred from one week of off-campus recruiting during the December-February contact period.

Stallings, who was fired after the 2017-18 season, has been given a three-year show-cause penalty. If he's hired by a program during that period, he will have to sit out 30 percent of that university's season. 

Pitt was also given three years' probation and fined $5,000, along with 0.5 percent of their football and men's basketball budgets.

Additional penalties include reductions in "countable athletically related activities" for both programs, along with minor restrictions for coaching staff during select practices. None of these restrictions are considered major, nor will they have much impact on the upcoming seasons for the respective programs.

The basketball violations do not include any misconduct by current coach Jeff Capel. 

Stallings has been out of basketball since his dismissal at Pitt.