University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt’s Pickett, Pair of Defenders Named to Prestigious Watch Lists
8/5/2021 1:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh football players were recognized as preseason candidates for the Manning Award and Lombardi Award, it was announced Thursday.
Pitt senior quarterback Kenny Pickett has been named to the 32-player watch list for the Manning Award, which annually honors college football's top quarterback.
Sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Manning Award is the only quarterback award that takes the candidates' bowl performances into consideration in its balloting.
The winner is selected by a voting panel composed of national media as well as Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Pickett (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) has twice been invited to serve as a counselor for the prestigious Manning Passing Academy, including the June 2021 edition held in Thibodaux, La.
Entering his fourth full season as Pitt's starting quarterback, Pickett ranks third all-time in total offensive yards (8,552) and fifth in passing yards (7,984). Pickett is eyeing Pitt's longstanding career records in those two categories held by Alex Van Pelt, who compiled 11,267 pass yards and 11,148 total yards from 1989-92.
Pickett has directed five fourth-quarter comeback wins during his career, the most by a Pitt quarterback in 50 years. The last Pitt QB to accomplish the feat was Dave Havern, who also rallied the Panthers to five victories in the fourth quarter over the 1970 and 1971 seasons.
Junior linebacker SirVocea Dennis and sophomore defensive tackle Calijah Kancey were also tabbed as watch-list worthy for the 2021 Lombardi Award, which annually recognizes the best lineman or linebacker who also exhibits the character and discipline of legendary coach Vince Lombardi.
Dennis compiled 57 tackles last season, including a team-high 14.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. After finishing third in the ACC in TFL, the Syracuse, N.Y., native was named third team All-ACC at linebacker.
Kancey continues to be touted as one of the best young interior defenders in all of college football. Now on three major watch lists ahead of the 2021 campaign, the product of Miami, Fla., tallied 27 tackles, seven TFL and 1.5 sacks last season to earn Freshman All-America honors from numerous outlets.
Pitt football tickets for the 2021 season are now on sale. Fans can purchase full seven-game season ticket packages for as low as $175, while lower bowl seats are available starting at only $205. Flexible payment plans are available. For more information, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
Pitt players on 2021 national award watch lists include:
Jordan Addison • WR • SO • #3
Biletnikoff Award (Best Receiver)
Cal Adomitis • LS • SR+ • #94
Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
Deslin Alexandre • DE • SR* • #5
Lott IMPACT Trophy (Character + Defensive Performance)
Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
Kirk Christodoulou • P • SR* • #98
Guy Award (Best Punter)
SirVocea Dennis • LB • JR • #32
Lombardi Award (Best Player at Line of Scrimmage)
Calijah Kancey • DT • SO* • #8
Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player)
Nagurski Trophy (Best Defensive Player)
Lombardi Award (Best Player at Line of Scrimmage)
Lucas Krull • TE • SR+ • #7
Mackey Award (Best Tight End)
Kenny Pickett • QB • SR+ • #8
Maxwell Award (Player of the Year)
Manning Award (Top Quarterback)
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Pitt senior quarterback Kenny Pickett has been named to the 32-player watch list for the Manning Award, which annually honors college football's top quarterback.
Sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Manning Award is the only quarterback award that takes the candidates' bowl performances into consideration in its balloting.
The winner is selected by a voting panel composed of national media as well as Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Pickett (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) has twice been invited to serve as a counselor for the prestigious Manning Passing Academy, including the June 2021 edition held in Thibodaux, La.
Entering his fourth full season as Pitt's starting quarterback, Pickett ranks third all-time in total offensive yards (8,552) and fifth in passing yards (7,984). Pickett is eyeing Pitt's longstanding career records in those two categories held by Alex Van Pelt, who compiled 11,267 pass yards and 11,148 total yards from 1989-92.
Pickett has directed five fourth-quarter comeback wins during his career, the most by a Pitt quarterback in 50 years. The last Pitt QB to accomplish the feat was Dave Havern, who also rallied the Panthers to five victories in the fourth quarter over the 1970 and 1971 seasons.
Junior linebacker SirVocea Dennis and sophomore defensive tackle Calijah Kancey were also tabbed as watch-list worthy for the 2021 Lombardi Award, which annually recognizes the best lineman or linebacker who also exhibits the character and discipline of legendary coach Vince Lombardi.
Dennis compiled 57 tackles last season, including a team-high 14.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. After finishing third in the ACC in TFL, the Syracuse, N.Y., native was named third team All-ACC at linebacker.
Kancey continues to be touted as one of the best young interior defenders in all of college football. Now on three major watch lists ahead of the 2021 campaign, the product of Miami, Fla., tallied 27 tackles, seven TFL and 1.5 sacks last season to earn Freshman All-America honors from numerous outlets.
Pitt football tickets for the 2021 season are now on sale. Fans can purchase full seven-game season ticket packages for as low as $175, while lower bowl seats are available starting at only $205. Flexible payment plans are available. For more information, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
Pitt players on 2021 national award watch lists include:
Jordan Addison • WR • SO • #3
Biletnikoff Award (Best Receiver)
Cal Adomitis • LS • SR+ • #94
Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
Deslin Alexandre • DE • SR* • #5
Lott IMPACT Trophy (Character + Defensive Performance)
Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
Kirk Christodoulou • P • SR* • #98
Guy Award (Best Punter)
SirVocea Dennis • LB • JR • #32
Lombardi Award (Best Player at Line of Scrimmage)
Calijah Kancey • DT • SO* • #8
Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player)
Nagurski Trophy (Best Defensive Player)
Lombardi Award (Best Player at Line of Scrimmage)
Lucas Krull • TE • SR+ • #7
Mackey Award (Best Tight End)
Kenny Pickett • QB • SR+ • #8
Maxwell Award (Player of the Year)
Manning Award (Top Quarterback)
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Players Mentioned
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