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2022 PRESEASON CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST: Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh, Senior DE,...Baldonado (Rome, Italy/Clearwater Academy International (Fla.)) comes back for the Panthers as one of the nation's most feared edge rushers after recording nine sacks last season. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Italian started all 14 games for the ACC champions in 2021 and compiled 11.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as well to garner second team All-ACC honors. Baldonado was at his best in big moments, tying a career-high with seven tackles and adding a sack in the ACC Championship Game against Wake Forest; he also posted sacks against Virginia Tech, Clemson, Miami and North Carolina in crucial conference games. - Pitt Football

(DS#24 DE) rSr/2023

DE Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pitt Football
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08/02/22 - *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 281 (DS#3 DT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST: Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh, Junior DT,...Kancey started all 14 games at defensive tackle in 2021…first team All-ACC…third team Associated Press All-American…paced Pitt in tackles for loss (13) and ranked second in sacks (seven)…had 35 total tackles and added a forced fumble on the year. - Pitt Football

(DS#3 DT) Jr/2023

DT *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pitt Football
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08/02/22 - *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 281 (DS#3 DT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF YEAR PLAYER TO WATCH: Calijah Kancey, DT, junior, Pittsburgh,...The news continued an offseason of hype for Kancey, who was previously named a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player), Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) and Lott IMPACT Trophy (most impactful defensive player) on their respective watch lists. Kancey established himself as one of the most productive defensive tackles in the nation last season, pacing Pitt in tackles for loss (13) and ranking second in sacks (seven). He earned first team All-ACC and received third team All-American recognition by the Associated Pres. - Pitt Football

(DS#3 DT) Jr/2023

DT *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pitt Football
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08/01/22 - *Israel Abanikanda, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 5-10, 216 (DS#7 RB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh,...Abanikanda (Brooklyn, N.Y./Abraham Lincoln) lands on the Hornung Award watch list as a versatile weapon for the Panthers feared as a rusher, receiver and returner. The New York City area product led the defending ACC champions in rushing yards (651) and rushing touchdowns (seven) last season and was also a threat in the passing game with 24 catches for 197 yards and another score. Furthermore, Abanikanda emerged as a kickoff return specialist, averaging 29.4 yards per attempt with a 98-yard kick return touchdown against Virginia that earned him ACC Specialist of the Week honors and helped Pitt clinch the Coastal over the Cavaliers. - Pitt Football

(DS#7 RB) Jr/2023

RB *Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pitt Football
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08/01/22 - Carter Warren, rSr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-6, 311 (DS#14 OT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: OT Carter Warren, Pitt,...Warren (Paterson, N.J./Passaic Tech) turned down an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl over the offseason and decided to return for his final year of eligibility to play with Pitt's veteran offensive line, which brings back all five starters from last season's championship-winning squad. The towering 6-foot-5, 325-pound left tackle has been a stalwart for the Panthers for three seasons now, accumulating 35 starts during that time protecting the blind side of Kenny Pickett. Warren garnered second team All-ACC honors last season for a Pitt attack that posted school-record production in points (41.4) and yards per game (486.6). With a new quarterback but plenty of returning talent at every other offensive position, Warren will again be a key piece to Pitt's offense in 2022. - Pitt Football

(DS#14 OT) rSr/2023

OT Carter Warren, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pitt Football
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08/01/22 - *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 281 (DS#3 DT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt,...The 6-foot, 280-pound disruptive force helped the Panthers win their first outright conference title in program history with several big plays in ACC games, including sacks versus Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia. Kancey remarkably recorded a TFL in eight consecutive games down the stretch for Pitt through the ACC Championship Game against Wake Forest and forced a fumble against Clemson. Kancey's combination of quickness and power has drawn comparisons to another former Pitt standout defensive tackle: three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who won both the Outland and Nagurski after his outstanding senior season for the Panthers in 2013. - Pitt Football

(DS#3 DT) Jr/2023

DT *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pitt Football
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08/01/22 - *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 281 (DS#3 DT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WATCHLIST: DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt,...Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) established himself as one of the most productive defensive tackles in the nation last season, pacing Pitt in tackles for loss (13) and ranking second in sacks (seven). He earned first team All-ACC and received third team All-American recognition by the Associated Press. - Pitt Football

(DS#3 DT) Jr/2023

DT *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pitt Football
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07/28/22 - *Brandon Hill, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 5-10, 193 (DS#7 SS) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JIM THORPE AWARD WATCHLIST: Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh, Jr.,...Hill (5-11, 195) had lost of highlight reel plays in 2021. Played in all 14 games, starting 13 at strong safety…totaled 81 tackles, one TFL, six pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble…All-ACC (second team)…Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist…helped clinch a 41-34 win at Tennessee by collecting a team-high seven tackles and intercepting a pass at Pitt's 17 and returning it 25 yards, allowing the Panthers to run out the final 4:52 on the clock…earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week for his Tennessee performance…posted a career-high 11 tackles and three PBUs against Clemson…had nine tackles and a TFL at Georgia Tech…also had nine tackles against North Carolina…in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, halted a Michigan State drive in Pitt territory with an interception, which the Panthers parlayed into a touchdown and 14-10 halftime lead. - Pittsburgh Football

(DS#7 SS) Jr/2023

SS *Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Football
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07/26/22 - Bub Means, rSr/2024, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 227 (DS#31 WR) + More +

During an interview session harping on big-picture topics from name, image and likeness to unequal revenue distribution in the ACC, Pat Narduzzi broke a bit of local, team-specific news. Jerrod "Bub" Means, a wide receiver transfer from Louisiana Tech, will be immediately eligible for the upcoming season. "I think he has a ton of potential," Narduzzi said Thursday at the annual ACC Kickoff. Means, who began his collegiate career at Tennessee, needed an NCAA waiver to play right away after his second transfer. "He's ready to go. We're really excited about him, and he's another special guy that we think is going to help us a lot this year." With Means in the fold, Pitt will be solid at wide receiver. Akron transfer Konata Mumpfield is "a special kid who will play at the next level," Narduzzi said. The Panthers also bring back second-leading receiver Jared Wayne, as well as Jaylon Barden, Jaden Bradley and tight end Gavin Bartholomew. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

(DS#31 WR) rSr/2024

WR Bub Means, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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07/25/22 - Gavin Bartholomew, Sr/2025, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 246 (DS#16 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST: GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW, PITTSBURGH,...Bartholomew (Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Blue Mountain) went from unheralded recruit to impact true freshman last season in helping the Panthers win the 2021 ACC title. Forming an extremely productive one-two punch with Pitt veteran presence Lucas Krull, now with the New Orleans Saints, Bartholomew became one of Kenny Pickett's favorite targets as the season progressed, especially in third down and red zone situations. Bartholomew played in all 14 games during his debut season for the Panthers, compiling 28 catches for 326 yards (11.6 avg.) and four touchdowns. - Pittsburgh Football

(DS#16 TE) Sr/2025

TE Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Football
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07/25/22 - SirVocea Dennis, Sr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 226 (DS#9 ILB) + More +

Pitt's players were holding court in the ACC Kickoff interview room when news dropped that "College GameDay" will come to the North Shore for the Backyard Brawl. When asked about the occasion, SirVocea Dennis smiled. He and teammates Carter Warren and Deslin Alexandre found out hours earlier. "You always hear about 13-9 or this other time that they beat them," Dennis said of the rivalry between Pitt and West Virginia. "You're just thinking, 'When will my time come to write myself in those history books?"

Of course, Dennis is already in Pitt's history books. He was the leading tackler last year when the Panthers captured the ACC championship and won 11 games for the first time in four decades. It was a historic season for Pitt, and Dennis was quite literally at the center of it, manning the middle linebacker spot every FBS game. Dennis tallied 87 tackles and 9 1/2 tackles for loss, third on the team behind only Habakkuk Baldonado and Calijah Kancey. The second-team All-ACC selection was named the conference's linebacker of the week twice. The first recognition followed Pitt's signature win against Clemson in which he had a game-altering pick-six. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

(DS#9 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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07/25/22 - Malcolm Epps, rSr/2024, Pittsburgh, 6-6, 257 (DS#42 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST: MALCOLM EPPS, USC,...In his 4-year collegiate career (3 years at Texas, 1 year at USC), Epps has 34 receptions for 465 yards (13.7 avg) with 5 TDs while appearing in 35 games (with 12 starts). Epps, who transferred to USC from Texas in the fall of 2021, saw action in all 12 games, with 5 starts (Stanford, Washington State, Arizona, Arizona State, California), at slot tight end as a redshirt junior in 2021. Overall in 2021, he had 10 receptions for 173 yards (17.3 avg) with 1 TD. - USC Football

(DS#42 TE) rSr/2024

TE Malcolm Epps, Pittsburgh
News Source: USC Football
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07/24/22 - Deslin Alexandre, rSr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-4, 264 (DS#41 DE) + More +

For the first time in nearly two decades, "College GameDay" is coming to Pittsburgh. Pitt announced Thursday the popular ESPN college football preview show will originate from the North Shore for the Panthers' Sept. 1 showdown with rival West Virginia at Acrisure Stadium. It marks the first time the show has set up shop here - or any Pitt game for that matter - since Sept. 3, 2005, when the Panthers dropped a 42-21 home decision against Notre Dame. And it will be the third time the Panthers have served as hosts overall. The show also appeared here when Pitt upset Virginia Tech - ranked No. 5 at the time - in November 2003.

West Virginia has played host to GameDay twice previously but never for a Backyard Brawl. The Mountaineers last played in a game highlighted by the show in 2017, when they dropped a 31-24 decision against No. 8 TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. "It's a great opportunity for our program," said Pitt's Deslin Alexandre at ACC media day Thursday. "Being a college football player, a lot of us have that same goal of playing on 'College GameDay.' I'm excited for us and for our program...That's a huge stage. And we're excited to win that game." - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

(DS#41 DE) rSr/2023

DE Deslin Alexandre, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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07/24/22 - Phil Jurkovec, rSr/2024, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 243 (DS#31 QB) + More +

Boston College coach Jeff Hafley revealed a surprising tidbit at the ACC Kickoff on Wednesday about last year's 17-3 win over Virginia Tech. According to Hafley, starting quarterback Phil Jurkovec played the game with only 50% of his normal grip strength. Oh, and he didn't really practice leading up to the game either. Jurkovec got the surprise start against the Hokies after missing six straight games with a broken bone in his throwing hand.

Boston College's training staff expected Jurkovec to miss the rest of the season, and told Halfey as much. "He wasn't supposed to come back," Hafley said. "But the Friday before [playing Virginia Tech] the doctors told me could be cleared to practice and play. The bone was healed, and he could not hurt it anymore, but he would be at about 50% grip strength." That wasn't an estimate either. The trainers compared measurement's of Jurkovec's grip strength from when he was healthy to numbers after his cast came off. "The doctor has a grip machine," Jurkovec said. "With the hand being immobilized for awhile, the joint suffered from it. The bone was fully healthy, but the joint didn't have any motion." - Richmond Times-Dispatch

(DS#31 QB) rSr/2024

QB Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh
News Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
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07/19/22 - Phil Jurkovec, rSr/2024, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 243 (DS#31 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: Phil Jurkovec, Boston College,...Quarterback Phil Jurkovec spent 2018 and 2019 seeing limited action at Notre Dame. As a redshirt sophomore Jurkovec started in all 10 games for Boston College. His 2,558 passing yards over his first 10 starts were the most by any BC quarterback in school history … first player in BC history to total four, 300-yard passing games in his first five career starts at quarterback and the first BC quarterback with four or more 300-yard games in a season since Matt Ryan (2007) … 26th nationally with 255.8 passing yards per game … ended the season completing 61 percent of his passes and throwing 18 touchdown passes (30th nationally) … second among all Boston College quarterbacks since 1996 with 255.8 yards per game, trailing only Matt Ryan's 321.9 yards per game in 2007 … 205 completions were the most by any BC sophomore quarterback, passing the previous record held by Chase Rettig in 2011 (170).

Tied for 10th in BC single-season history with 17 touchdown passes and eighth in school history with 205 completions in 2020 … threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns (17-of-23) in first career game as an Eagle at Duke (9/19) … against No. 11 North Carolina (10/3), Jurkovec was 37-for-56 for 313 yards and two touchdowns … 37 completions were tied for second in BC single-game history with Frank Harris (37 versus Army in 1968) … 37 completions were an Alumni Stadium record … 56 pass attempts were also the most by a BC quarterback at Alumni Stadium since at least 1996 and was the highest overall total number of attempts since Ryan passed 56 times on Nov. 10, 2007 at Maryland … tied for fourth in BC single-game history with the 56 attempts … career-highs in passing yards (358), touchdowns (3) and longest touchdown pass (77) in the overtime win over Pitt (10/10). - Boston College Football

(DS#31 QB) rSr/2024

QB Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh
News Source: Boston College Football
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