Four Panthers Named to Midseason All-America Teams
10/20/2022 11:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Four members of the Pitt football team received midseason All-America honors this week from various national media outlets.
Junior defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was a consensus selection, garnering recognition from five major outlets (CBS, ESPN, The Athletic, Pro Football Focus and Athlon) for his strong start to the season.
Despite receiving increased attention from opponents' blocking schemes, Kancey has been highly productive through six contests. He leads the Panthers in tackles for loss (8.5) and quarterback hurries (six), while ranking second in sacks (three). His average of 1.4 TFLs per game ranks 17th nationally.
Senior safety Erick Hallett II also received three midseason All-America nods, including a first-team selection by The Athletic. With three interceptions and two fumble recoveries through six games, Hallett is tied for the national lead with five turnovers forced this season.
With 23 tackles, six pass breakups and two tackles for loss, Hallett has done it all for the Pitt defense, and Pro Football Focus ranks him as the nation's best slot cover man with a grade of 87.8 this season.
Junior running back Israel Abanikanda and senior linebacker SirVocea Dennis were named to Athlon's midseason All-America teams, while PFF also recognized Abanikanda, the FBS all-purpose yards leader.
With 186.2 all-purpose yards per game, no FBS player has contributed more to their team than Abanikanda, who also is tied for the national lead with 78 points scored via 13 touchdowns. Following his historic 320-yard, six-TD rushing game against Virginia Tech, Abanikanda vaulted into contention for national award and All-America honors.
Dennis paces the Panthers with 44 tackles, and his four sacks rank first among ACC linebackers.
Here is a full list of Pitt's midseason All-America honors:
Israel Abanikanda—Running Back
Athlon Midseason All-American (third team)
Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American (Honorable Mention)
SirVocea Dennis—Linebacker
Athlon Midseason All-American (third team)
Erick Hallett II—Safety
The Athletic Midseason All-American (first team)
Athlon Midseason All-American (second team)
Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American (second team)
Calijah Kancey—Defensive Tackle
Athlon Midseason All-American (first team)
CBS Sports Midseason All-American
ESPN Midseason All-American
The Athletic Midseason All-American (second team)
Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American (second team)
The Panthers (4-2, 1-1) are back in action this Saturday night at Louisville. Pitt will look for a second straight ACC win. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on the ACC Network.
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Junior defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was a consensus selection, garnering recognition from five major outlets (CBS, ESPN, The Athletic, Pro Football Focus and Athlon) for his strong start to the season.
Despite receiving increased attention from opponents' blocking schemes, Kancey has been highly productive through six contests. He leads the Panthers in tackles for loss (8.5) and quarterback hurries (six), while ranking second in sacks (three). His average of 1.4 TFLs per game ranks 17th nationally.
Senior safety Erick Hallett II also received three midseason All-America nods, including a first-team selection by The Athletic. With three interceptions and two fumble recoveries through six games, Hallett is tied for the national lead with five turnovers forced this season.
With 23 tackles, six pass breakups and two tackles for loss, Hallett has done it all for the Pitt defense, and Pro Football Focus ranks him as the nation's best slot cover man with a grade of 87.8 this season.
Junior running back Israel Abanikanda and senior linebacker SirVocea Dennis were named to Athlon's midseason All-America teams, while PFF also recognized Abanikanda, the FBS all-purpose yards leader.
With 186.2 all-purpose yards per game, no FBS player has contributed more to their team than Abanikanda, who also is tied for the national lead with 78 points scored via 13 touchdowns. Following his historic 320-yard, six-TD rushing game against Virginia Tech, Abanikanda vaulted into contention for national award and All-America honors.
Dennis paces the Panthers with 44 tackles, and his four sacks rank first among ACC linebackers.
Here is a full list of Pitt's midseason All-America honors:
Israel Abanikanda—Running Back
Athlon Midseason All-American (third team)
Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American (Honorable Mention)
SirVocea Dennis—Linebacker
Athlon Midseason All-American (third team)
Erick Hallett II—Safety
The Athletic Midseason All-American (first team)
Athlon Midseason All-American (second team)
Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American (second team)
Calijah Kancey—Defensive Tackle
Athlon Midseason All-American (first team)
CBS Sports Midseason All-American
ESPN Midseason All-American
The Athletic Midseason All-American (second team)
Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American (second team)
The Panthers (4-2, 1-1) are back in action this Saturday night at Louisville. Pitt will look for a second straight ACC win. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on the ACC Network.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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