*Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh Football News: Draft Scout Player News

08/05/22 - DT *Calijah Kancey, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh

Even if you put the statistics aside and just watch Pitt's film from last year, it's obvious that No. 8 - the other No. 8 - was Pitt's most impactful defensive player. Calijah Kancey made a routine of speeding past linemen, barreling over running backs in pass protection and sending quarterbacks into a new dimension. "The guy is magical. No matter what position he's in, no matter the call, he always wants to make a play. And he usually does," middle linebacker SirVocea Dennis said. "Being behind him, it's like I'm watching greatness right in front of my eyes. It's fun." "His quickness, man, sometimes I can't catch him," Pitt offensive tackle Carter Warren said on their reps in practice. "Sometimes I'm asking (left guard) Marcus (Minor) for help. Calijah is the real deal. He puts in the work, day in and day out. He's the last one in the weight room and the last one on the field. He does the little things you need to do to be where he wants to be in life." That was the common thread speaking to players and coaches on both sides of the ball on Monday: Kancey's work ethic and focus is among the best in the building.

That approach has made his attention-filled summer easier to manage. Partridge acknowledged there's a delicate balance between confidence and cockiness after the type of year Kancey had. The coaching staff emphasizes that preseason accolades don't mean anything unless you work to make them a postseason reality. Kancey has taken that message to heart. "The watch lists don't mean nothing to me," the fourth-year player said. "It's all about getting better and getting ready for the first game. It's really not that important if you're not on the watch lists at the end of the season." - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Jr/2023