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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Pittsburgh

Previous 15 Notes

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09/10/24 - Eli Holstein, rFr/2028, Pittsburgh + More +

WEEK 2 ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Eli Holstein, Pitt, QB, Zachary, Louisiana,...Holstein earned his second consecutive ACC Rookie of the Week honor after orchestrating Pitt's dramatic 28-27 comeback at Cincinnati. Holstein completed 20-of-35 passes for 302 yards with three touchdowns, adding 36 rushing yards. Showing no signs of being phased by pressure, Holstein directed Pitt's game-winning drive, completing two passes for 42 yards and adding a key seven-yard run to set up the clinching 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds left. Holstein became the first Pitt freshman, true or redshirt, to pass for 300 yards in consecutive games since Alex Van Pelt in 1989. - ACC Football

rFr/2028

QB Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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09/10/24 - Ben Sauls, rSr/2025, Pittsburgh + 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

rSr/2025

K Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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09/10/24 - Konata Mumpfield, rSr/2025, Pittsburgh + 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

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WR Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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09/10/24 - Desmond Reid, Jr/2026, Pittsburgh + 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

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RB Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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09/03/24 - Eli Holstein, rFr/2028, Pittsburgh + More +

WEEK 1 ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Eli Holstein, Pitt, QB, Zachary, Louisiana,...Holstein completed 75-perecnt of his passes, going 30-for-40 through the air with three touchdowns versus Kent State. Holstein's 336 passing yards were the most by a Pitt Panther since Kenny Pickett's 340-yard performance against Virginia in November of 2021. Holstein also became the first Panther to complete 30 passes in a game since Pickett completed 39 against Miami in October of 2021. - ACC Football

rFr/2028

QB Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
News Source: ACC Football
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08/31/24 - Eli Holstein, rFr/2028, Pittsburgh + More +

Redshirt freshman Eli Holstein threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns and running back Desmond Reid scored twice as Pittsburgh and its new-look offense opened the season with a 55-24 win over Kent State on Saturday. Holstein, a transfer from Alabama, completed 29 of 39 passes while efficiently operating first-year offensive coordinator Kade Bell's uptempo system. Holstein hit Kenny Johnson, Konata Mumpfield and Raphael Williams for scores as the Panthers eventually pulled away from the Golden Flashes. Reid, who followed Bell from Western Carolina to Pitt, put together a dazzling 78-yard punt return for a score in the first quarter. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Reid also sprinted up the middle for a 46-yard touchdown while racking up 231 all-purpose yards as the Panthers moved the ball at will for most of the afternoon.

Pitt rolled up 554 yards of total offense, an encouraging debut coming off a 3-9 season in which the Panthers finished last in the ACC in points and yards. Those struggles led longtime Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi to hire the 31-year-old Bell to bring the Panthers into the 21st century. The early returns were promising. Holstein made a series of nice anticipatory throws. Devin Kargman passed for 181 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Golden Flashes, who hung around into the second half. Naim Muhammad returned a fumbled punt 36 yards for a score, Alex Branch picked off Holstein in the end zone to end a Pitt scoring threat and when Kargman hit Luke Floriea with a 29-yard strike early in the third quarter, Kent State was within 28-21. - AP College Football

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QB Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
News Source: AP College Football
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08/30/24 - Rodney Hammond Jr., rSr/2026, Pittsburgh + More +

Pitt running back Rodney Hammond Jr. has been declared ineligible and will miss the 2024 season, the school announced Friday. No reason was provided, but Hammond remains a member of the team and can practice, the school said. Hammond, in his fourth year, led the Panthers in rushing last year with 564 yards and scored four touchdowns. Desmond Reid was listed as co-No. 1 on the depth chart at running back heading into Pitt’s opener Saturday at home against Kent State. Reid is a third-year transfer from Western Carolina, where he played for new Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell and ran for 897 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. - AP College Football

rSr/2026

RB Rodney Hammond Jr., Pittsburgh
News Source: AP College Football
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02/25/23 - Deslin Alexandre, rSr/2023, Pittsburgh + 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

rSr/2023

DE Deslin Alexandre, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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01/23/23 - Daejon Reynolds, rJr/2026, Pittsburgh + More +

Just weeks after Jared Wayne, Pitt's leading receiver in 2022, declared for the 2023 NFL draft, the Panthers have already found his likely replacement in the starting lineup. After extending offers to numerous pass catchers in the transfer portal this winter, Pat Narduzzi's team landed a Power Five receiver this week, as former Florida wideout Daejon Reynolds announced his commitment to Pitt on Friday evening. Reynolds, who measures at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, comes to the Panthers with three years of eligibility remaining. A former four-star recruit out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., Reynolds committed to Florida over other notable programs like Texas A&M, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida State.

After redshirting his first season on campus, Reynolds caught 11 passes for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns in eight games this fall for the Gators. His best game of the year came on Nov. 19 against Vanderbilt, where he hauled in eight passes for 165 yards and scored both of his touchdowns at the collegiate level. Reynolds also received offers from Mississippi State and West Virginia. He visited Pitt on Jan. 7, where he was seen courtside with Narduzzi prior to the start of the Panthers' basketball game against Clemson. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

rJr/2026

WR Daejon Reynolds, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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01/12/23 - Derrick Davis Jr., rJr/2026, Pittsburgh + More +

Gateway graduate Derrick Davis Jr. on Tuesday said Pitt is it. A former LSU player, Davis Tweeted his decision in the early afternoon that he would continue his football career with the Panthers. "Let's Get to it!" Davis said as he expressed his excitement with his decision. Davis last month announced he would enter the NCAA's transfer portal after two seasons with the Tigers. He visited Pitt over the weekend. Recruited as a safety, Davis moved to running back at LSU this fall.

The 6-foot, 210-pounder appeared in just four games as a sophomore this past season and preserved his redshirt. He tallied a pair of tackles in the Tigers' win over New Mexico on Sept. 24 as well as two tackles against Southern University two weeks earlier. On offense, Davis recorded 28 yards on five carries in LSU's 41-10 victory over UAB in the home finale Nov. 19. In the Citrus Bowl against Purdue, Davis ran six times for 29 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers' 63-7 rout. In 2021, Davis saw action in 12 games and made his collegiate debut against UCLA. The majority of his time was on special teams. - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

rJr/2026

RB Derrick Davis Jr., Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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01/10/23 - Habakkuk Baldonado, rSr/2023, Pittsburgh + 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

rSr/2023

DE Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Sports Now
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01/07/23 - Jared Wayne, Sr/2023, Pittsburgh + 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

Sr/2023

WR Jared Wayne, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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12/31/22 - Ben Sauls, rSr/2025, Pittsburgh + 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

rSr/2025

K Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh/AP College Football
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12/20/22 - *Israel Abanikanda, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh + 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

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RB *Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh
News Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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12/20/22 - *Brandon Hill, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh + 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

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