University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt's Kenny Pickett Finishes Third in Heisman Trophy Voting
12/12/2021 7:00:00 PM | Football
NEW YORK—University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett represented the Pitt football program in first-class fashion this weekend at the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City.
Invited as Pitt's first Heisman finalist since Larry Fitzgerald in 2003, Pickett became the fifth Pitt player to finish in the top three of the final Heisman voting in program history. When the voting tally was unveiled, Pickett was behind only winner Bryce Young of Alabama and Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan.
Pickett also accepted the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in Baltimore on Friday evening, making him the first Pitt player to win that prestigious award given to the nation's top upperclassman quarterback.
The weekend was the reward for Pickett's success this season, which saw him produce the best campaign ever by a Pitt quarterback and the most prolific season in ACC history for a signal caller.
Pickett completed 67% of his passes (334 of 497) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 2021. Including his five rushing scores, he has totaled 47 touchdowns this season.
Pickett's passing yardage, passing touchdowns, total TDs and completions are all Pitt season records. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes (eclipsing the prior mark of 41 set by Clemson's Deshaun Watson in 2016).
PITT'S TOP HEISMAN TROPHY FINISHES
1976, Tony Dorsett, 1st
2003, Larry Fitzgerald, 2nd
1980, Hugh Green, 2nd
1938, Marshall Goldberg, 2nd
2021, Kenny Pickett, 3rd
1937, Marshall Goldberg, 3rd
1981, Dan Marino, 4th
1975, Tony Dorsett, 4th
1987, Craig Heyward, 5th
Invited as Pitt's first Heisman finalist since Larry Fitzgerald in 2003, Pickett became the fifth Pitt player to finish in the top three of the final Heisman voting in program history. When the voting tally was unveiled, Pickett was behind only winner Bryce Young of Alabama and Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan.
Pickett also accepted the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in Baltimore on Friday evening, making him the first Pitt player to win that prestigious award given to the nation's top upperclassman quarterback.
The weekend was the reward for Pickett's success this season, which saw him produce the best campaign ever by a Pitt quarterback and the most prolific season in ACC history for a signal caller.
Saturday Night in New York City ??
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 11, 2021
En Route to the @HeismanTrophy ? #H2P » @KennyPickett10 pic.twitter.com/0aEBxFDfsF
Pickett completed 67% of his passes (334 of 497) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 2021. Including his five rushing scores, he has totaled 47 touchdowns this season.
Pickett's passing yardage, passing touchdowns, total TDs and completions are all Pitt season records. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes (eclipsing the prior mark of 41 set by Clemson's Deshaun Watson in 2016).
PITT'S TOP HEISMAN TROPHY FINISHES
1976, Tony Dorsett, 1st
2003, Larry Fitzgerald, 2nd
1980, Hugh Green, 2nd
1938, Marshall Goldberg, 2nd
2021, Kenny Pickett, 3rd
1937, Marshall Goldberg, 3rd
1981, Dan Marino, 4th
1975, Tony Dorsett, 4th
1987, Craig Heyward, 5th
Pitt legends in New York City ?@Tony_Dorsett ?? @KennyPickett10#H2P » @HeismanTrophy pic.twitter.com/skQoZoYJff
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 12, 2021
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballPitt Football | Hit the links at the 2026 Pitt Football Alumni Golf Outing!
Tuesday, May 12
Pitt Football | Get an inside look at spring ball, May 8th at 11:30 AM on the ACC Network!
Thursday, May 07
2026 NFL Draft Weekend Recap
Tuesday, May 05
Pitt Football | It runs in the family for Brayland Lovelace.
Thursday, April 30