WHITEHEAD AND OLLISON SWEEP ACC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
12/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt knows high-impact freshmen.
That was reinforced today when the Panthers took home the Atlantic Coast Conference's offensive, defensive and overall Rookie of the Year awards announced by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA).
Freshman strong safety Jordan Whitehead was named both the overall and defensive Rookie of the Year in the ACC, while redshirt freshman running back Qadree Ollison was honored as the offensive Rookie of the Year.
Pitt is the first school to sweep each of the ACC rookie awards in the same season.
"Our entire program takes great pride in these well-deserved honors for Jordan and Qadree," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "Even though they are freshmen, we gave them a lot of responsibility this season and they responded in outstanding fashion. Their production on the field speaks for itself. More importantly, both Jordan and Qadree grew as leaders for our team."
Whitehead (Aliquippa, Pa./Central Valley) is the first defensive player to win the ACC's overall Rookie of the Year honor since North Carolina cornerback Dre' Bly in 1996. He is just the seventh defensive player to win the award since its inception in 1974.
Whitehead received 19 votes for the overall rookie award from ACSMA members, and Ollison placed second with nine. Florida State defensive back Derwin James was third with six votes, one more than Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Panthers' leading tackler this season, Whitehead has compiled 99 stops, the most by a Pitt true freshman in 28 years. His average of 8.2 tackles per game ranks eighth in the ACC and he is the only freshman among the league's top 10 tacklers.
In the final month of the regular season, Whitehead began taking snaps on offense and is averaging 7.9 yards per rush (79 yards on 10 carries) with two touchdowns. He also has two receptions.
Whitehead led the balloting for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year with 28 votes, followed by Florida State's James with 11 and Clemson lineman Christian Wilkins with six.
"I'm very appreciative of this recognition from ACSMA," Whitehead said. "No one accomplishes anything alone and I want to thank my coaches and teammates at both Pitt and Central Valley, and definitely my mom and dad for all they have done for me. I want to give a special shout out to my teammate Lafayette Pitts, who has been a big help to me from the time I arrived at Pitt."
Ollison (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Canisius) entered the 2015 season as the Panthers' third-string tailback. Three months later he became only the fifth freshman in Pitt history to achieve a 1,000-yard rushing season, netting 1,048 yards and 10 touchdowns on 204 carries (5.1 avg.).
Thrust into a prominent role when tailback James Conner, the 2014 ACC Player of the Year, was lost in the opener due to injury, Ollison responded by rushing for 207 yards in his collegiate debut against Youngstown State. He would go on to compile five 100-yard games on the year, going over the 1,000-yard mark in the season's 11th game, a 45-34 win over Louisville (Nov. 21). His 1,048 rushing yards are the seventh most by a freshman in ACC history.
Ollison received 23 votes in ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting. Virginia Tech running back Travon McMillian placed second with eight votes, followed by Louisville's Jackson with seven.
"I'm grateful and humbled to receive this honor from ACSMA," Ollison said. "This recognition goes way beyond me. Big credit goes to my coaches, teammates—especially our offensive line—and my family and friends in Niagara Falls for their support and belief in me."
A Pitt player has won an ACC Player of the Year award in each of the Panthers' three seasons in the conference. In 2013, Pitt's inaugural ACC season, defensive tackle Aaron Donald was named the Defensive Player of the Year. In 2014, Conner was named the offensive and overall Player of the Year.
The Panthers finished the regular season with an 8-4 overall record and 6-2 ACC mark, the program's winningest campaign in six years. Pitt awaits its bowl destination, which will be announced this Sunday.
—PITT—
