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WEEK 1 ACC LINEBACKER OF THE WEEK: Kyle Louis, R-Jr., LB, Pitt (East Orange, New Jersey),...Opened the season with six tackles, three tackles-for-loss and two sacks against Duquesne...Matched his single-game career-high with two sacks, previously done against Clemson in 2024...His pair of sacks leads the ACC and ranks third nationally after Week 1...His three tackles-for-loss also lead the ACC and rank fourth nationally. - Atlantic Coast Conference

(DS#8 OLB) rJr/2026

OLB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
News Source: Atlantic Coast Conference
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09/10/24 - Ben Sauls, rSr/2025, Pittsburgh, 5-10, 182 (DS#3 K) + More +

WEEK 2 ACC SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK: Ben Sauls, Pitt, K, Tipp City, Ohio,...Sauls kicked three field goals, including the game-winning 35-yard try with 17 seconds left, to help Pitt complete its largest comeback win in 53 years. Sauls connected on field goals of 47, 53, and 35 yards, while adding a PAT. The Tipp City, Ohio, native has yet to miss this season, going 5-for-5 on field goals and 8-for-8 on PATs for a team-leading 23 points. - ACC Football

(DS#3 K) rSr/2025

K Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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09/10/24 - Konata Mumpfield, rSr/2025, Pittsburgh, 5-11, 186 (DS#38 WR) + More +

WEEK 2 ACC RECEIVER OF THE WEEK: Konata Mumpfield, Pitt, WR, Hoschton, Georgia,...Mumpfield played a crucial role in Pitt's 28-27 comeback victory at Cincinnati, logging five catches for a game-high 123 receiving yards. While the Panthers were trailing 27-6 in the third quarter, Mumpfield hauled in touchdown catches of 11 and 38 yards on consecutive drives to bring Pitt within eight points. On Pitt's final possession, the Hoschton, Georgia, product caught a 34-yard pass to set up the Panthers' game-winning field goal. His performance lifted Pitt to its largest comeback win since October 9, 1971, when the Panthers rallied from a 25-point deficit to defeat Navy, 36-35. - ACC Football

(DS#38 WR) rSr/2025

WR Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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09/10/24 - Desmond Reid, Sr/2026, Pittsburgh, 5-06, 174 (DS#26 RB) + More +

WEEK 2 ACC RUNNING BACK OF THE WEEK: Desmond Reid, Pitt, RB, Miami Gardens, Florida,...Reid became the first player in Pitt history to compile 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game, sparking Pitt's dramatic comeback win at Cincinnati. Reid ran for 148 yards on 19 carries, while hauling in six passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. It was Reid's second consecutive 100-yard rushing game since his offseason transfer to Pitt from Western Carolina, becoming the first Pitt player to log two consecutive 100-yard rushing games to start a Pitt career since Dion Lewis in 2009. Reid helped Pitt complete its largest comeback since October 9, 1971, when the Panthers rallied from a 25-point deficit to defeat Navy, 36-35. - ACC Football

(DS#26 RB) Sr/2026

RB Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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02/25/23 - Deslin Alexandre, rSr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-4, 264 (DS#41 DE) + More +

After a busy collegiate career on and off the field, former Pitt defensive end Deslin Alexandre was named the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year at a ceremony Thursday night in Frisco, Texas. The honor is annually presented by former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten to the FBS player "who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship." Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford and Oregon offensive lineman Alex Forsyth were the other finalists. "I am honored to present the sixth annual Collegiate Man of the Year to Deslin Alexandre," Witten said. "He is a great leader and a role model for young athletes. He came to the U.S. from Haiti at a young age and overcame a lot of challenges to become a great player and leader, both on campus and in the community. He is a perfect example of what a college student-athlete can be."

Alexandre was a two-time team captain and three-year starter at Pitt. He also was a three-time member of the All-ACC Academic football team. He earned his bachelor's degree in communication and is pursuing an MBA in Pitt's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. He worked just as tirelessly in the community, devoting time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, literacy promotion and Divine Mercy Parish's historic "Red Door" program that provides meals and clothing for the homeless. Perhaps his most impressive contribution was raising $50,000 through his "5th Down Campaign," whose goal was to build awareness and mobilize resources for the impoverished children of Haiti, his native nation. - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

(DS#41 DE) rSr/2023

DE Deslin Alexandre, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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01/10/23 - Habakkuk Baldonado, rSr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-4, 251 (DS#24 DE) + More +

Pitt senior defensive end Haba Baldonado officially announced that he would be entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Due to the extra year created by COVID, Baldonado had the opportunity to return for another season. In four seasons on Charlie Partridge’s defensive line, Baldonado developed and got better every season, as he finished his Pitt career with 98 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, a forced fumble, two recoveries and two pass breakups.

He earned All-ACC honors in 2021, when he compiled 41 tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Baldonado has the size, physical tools, football IQ and leadership to be the next Pitt defensive end to make the jump to the next level and succeed. This announcement didn’t come as much of a surprise considering Baldonado had already accepted an invite to play in the East-West Shrine Game. The Feb. 2, 2023 game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada in front of NFL front office members, coaches and scouts. - Pittsburgh Sports Now

(DS#24 DE) rSr/2023

DE Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Sports Now
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01/07/23 - Jared Wayne, Sr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-3, 209 (DS#94 WR) + More +

Another standout player from Pat Narduzzi's 2022 roster is chasing his dream at the next level. Senior receiver Jared Wayne announced Friday afternoon that he, like many of his teammates, has declared for the 2023 NFL draft. Wayne was a steady presence in Pitt's passing attack last fall, catching 60 balls for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns, earning him second-team All-ACC honors. His 1,000-yard season was just the 11th in program history.

"The process of making this decision hasn't been easy but is ultimately what I feel is best for my career," Wayne said via his social media announcement. "I've had a lifelong goal of playing in the NFL and it's time to pursue that." Wayne's biggest performance in 2022 came against Miami, when he hauled in 11 passes for 205 yards and three scores. He was also a key target for the Panthers in 2021, snagging 47 catches for 658 yards and six touchdowns to help Pitt capture its first ACC title. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

(DS#94 WR) Sr/2023

WR Jared Wayne, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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12/31/22 - Ben Sauls, rSr/2025, Pittsburgh, 5-10, 182 (DS#3 K) + More +

Ben Sauls booted five field goals, including a 47-yarder with seconds to play, to lift Pitt to a 37-35 win over No. 18 UCLA in a back-and-forth Sun Bowl. The Panthers (9-4), playing without five starters who opted out of the game, took advantage of five UCLA turnovers, including four interceptions. UCLA (9-4) scored what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown on an 8-yard run by T.J. Harden with 34 seconds remaining. That capped a drive that started at the UCLA 25-yard line with less than two minutes left, and was keyed by a 34-yard run by Harden. Pitt quarterback Nick Patti got completions of 18 and 17 yards to Jared Wayne and Bub Means on the ensuing drive. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, Patti scrambled for 11 yards to the UCLA 29-yard line. After another spike with 10 seconds left, Sauls came on to kick the game-winner, which sailed through the uprights with just four seconds remaining.

Sophomore Rodney Hammond Jr. rushed for 89 yards and two scores to lead the Panthers, who were without running back Israel Abanikanda, the nation's leader in total TDs with 22. The Bruins, who had led 21-14 at the half, played without star senior running back Zach Charbonnet. UCLA senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was injured and didn't return to the game after throwing an interception early in the fourth quarter, threw for 271 yards on 16 of 24 passing with three interceptions. Backup Ethan Garbers also threw an interception on the game's final play. Pitt got picks from Tylar Wiltz, Javon McIntyre, Bengally Kamara and M.J. Devonshire, and added a fumble recovery on a kickoff from Solomon DeShields. - Pittsburgh/AP College Football

(DS#3 K) rSr/2025

K Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh/AP College Football
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12/20/22 - *Israel Abanikanda, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 5-10, 216 (DS#7 RB) + More +

Five more Pitt players announced via Twitter on Monday morning that they will forego the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft, and all of them were starters. Running back Israel Abanikanda, offensive tackle Gabe Houy, offensive tackle Carter Warren, linebacker SirVocea Dennis and defensive end Deslin Alexandre all took to social media to announce their decisions to skip the game. They joined both unanimous All-American defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, and safety Brandon Hill, who earned an All-ACC honorable mention, as Pitt starters who have announced they would skip the Sun Bowl but not enter the transfer portal.

Hill's announcement indicated his intentions to declare for the NFL draft, while Kancey's announcement was purely that he wouldn't be able to play due to injury. As of Monday, Kancey hasn't declared for the draft, even though he's a nationally recognized product who's moved up draft boards with a strong season. Abanikanda led the ACC with 1,431 rushing yards to earn first team All-ACC honors and led the country with 21 total touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound junior out of Brooklyn, N.Y., was the focal point of the Panthers' offense throughout the season. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

(DS#7 RB) Jr/2023

RB *Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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12/20/22 - *Brandon Hill, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 5-10, 193 (DS#7 SS) + More +

As the Pitt defense takes the field at Sun Bowl Stadium against No. 18 UCLA on Friday, Dec. 30, it will do so without another key player. Redshirt junior safety Brandon Hill announced Saturday afternoon he will not be playing for the Panthers in the bowl game in order to begin his preparation for the 2023 NFL draft. "After many prayers and discussions with my mother, I have decided to forego the upcoming bowl game so I can begin my focus and training for the 2023 NFL Draft," Hill said via social media. "It's time for this dream of mine to become true! Thank you Panther Nation!"

Hill ends his time at Pitt having started games in each of his three full seasons. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound defensive back earned second-team All-ACC honors on the Panthers' ACC championship-winning defense in 2021. He followed it up with Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition this fall. Hill tallied 172 career tackles at Pitt, along with 12 passes defended, three interceptions, a pair of fumble recoveries and scored a pair of touchdowns. He is now the third starter on the Pitt defense who won't be playing in the Sun Bowl. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

(DS#7 SS) Jr/2023

SS *Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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12/17/22 - Keye Thompson, rSr/2025, Pittsburgh, 6-0, 230 (DS#97 ILB) + More +

2022 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM: Linebacker - Keye Thompson, Ohio,...Thompson leads the team in tackles (96), assisted tackles (51) and solo tackles (45). Starting in all 12 games, he also recorded 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Thompson earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week twice. - Ohio Football

(DS#97 ILB) rSr/2025

ILB Keye Thompson, Pittsburgh
News Source: Ohio Football
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12/10/22 - *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 281 (DS#3 DT) + More +

2022 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: DL Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh,...The 6-foot, 280-pound junior defensive tackle compiled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played this season. His average of 1.32 TFLs per game ranks 16th nationally and first among the nation's interior defenders. - Pittsburgh Football

(DS#3 DT) Jr/2023

DT *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Football
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12/08/22 - *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 281 (DS#3 DT) + More +

2022 OUTLAND TROPHY FINALIST (OUTSTANDING INTERIOR LINEMAN): Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh,...In addition to the Outland, Kancey is also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented to the nation's top defensive player. He is the only player selected a finalist for both the Nagurski and Outland honors by the FWAA. Kancey is the first Pitt player to be named a finalist for the Outland Trophy since 2013, when defensive tackle Aaron Donald became the Panthers' second winner of the coveted award. (Donald also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy that season.) Pitt's initial Outland Trophy winner was offensive tackle Mark May in 1980. The 6-foot, 280-pound Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) has been one of college football's most dominant players regardless of position this season. He compiled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played. - Pittsburgh Football

(DS#3 DT) Jr/2023

DT *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Football
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12/04/22 - Phil Jurkovec, rSr/2024, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 243 (DS#31 QB) + More +

Phil Jurkovec, Boston College quarterback and former Pine-Richland High School star, entered the transfer portal Friday and has an interest in possibly coming to Pitt. But he said a number of other schools also had contacted him. Jurkovec spent the past three seasons at Boston College after transferring from Notre Dame. He has an extra year of eligibility because of COVID-19. "It's not like I'm that close to a decision yet," Jurkovec said. Jurkovec said he has heard from Power Five conference schools, as well as colleges from smaller conferences. "I really liked Boston College, but it just wasn't the right situation for me right now," Jurkovec said. "There are no hard feelings. Coach [Jeff] Hafley wishes me the best and he's trying to help me out. I'm not leaning one way or another. I have to take in all the information right now."

Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. was Boston College's offensive coordinator for Jurkovec's first two seasons at Boston College. Whether Jurkovec ends up at Pitt might hinge on whether Kedon Slovis uses his final year of eligibility at Pitt, transfers elsewhere or turns to the NFL. "In regards to Pitt, I really like coach Cignetti because of the past. That's a huge draw," Jurkovec said. "Coach [Pat] Narduzzi always has been good to me, too. I'm very interested in Pitt, but we'll see how this plays out and what exactly is the situation at Pitt." - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

(DS#31 QB) rSr/2024

QB Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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12/04/22 - *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 281 (DS#3 DT) + More +

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year, will miss the team's bowl game due to injury. Kancey, a junior, made the announcement in an Instagram post on Friday. Kancey sustained an injury in the second half of a win over Duke on Nov. 19 and did not travel with the team for a victory at Miami on Nov. 26. "Thanks to the best trainers in the country at Pitt," Kancey said. "I know they will help me get back to 100% soon." Kancey collected 7 1/2 sacks and 14 1/2 tackles for a loss in 11 games this season for the Panthers (8-4).

He is the first Pitt player to win the conference's highest defensive honor since Aaron Donald in 2013. The 6-foot-1, 280-pound player has been coy about his intentions next year, though the Miami native likely has worked himself up NFL draft boards over the last three months. Kancey did say he plans to help teammates prepare for whatever bowl they might be headed to. Pitt did not defend the ACC title it won a year ago but finished strong, winning four straight to end the season to come in second to North Carolina in the ACC's Coastal Division. - AP College Football

(DS#3 DT) Jr/2023

DT *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
News Source: AP College Football
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