Gavin Bartholomew Named to Mackey Award Watch List
7/22/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH – Pitt sophomore tight end Gavin Bartholomew was named to the John Mackey Award watch list on Friday as a preseason contender to be selected college football's outstanding tight end.
Bartholomew (Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Blue Mountain) went from unheralded recruit to impact true freshman last season in helping the Panthers win the 2021 ACC title.
Forming an extremely productive one-two punch with Pitt veteran presence Lucas Krull, now with the New Orleans Saints, Bartholomew became one of Kenny Pickett's favorite targets as the season progressed, especially in third down and red zone situations.
Bartholomew played in all 14 games during his debut season for the Panthers, compiling 28 catches for 326 yards (11.6 avg.) and four touchdowns. He was named a second team Freshman All-American by The Athletic and Pro Football Network and also earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors.
His role continually increased throughout the 2021 season both as a blocker and receiver, with all four of Bartholomew's touchdowns coming in ACC games. He found the end zone against Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina and Syracuse down the stretch, helping Pitt win its first outright conference title.
But perhaps the most memorable moment from Bartholomew's rookie campaign wasn't a touchdown. At Syracuse, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound specimen showed his physicality and cemented his status as a fan favorite by trucking over an Orange defender with a violent broken tackle and carrying another Syracuse player past the first down marker and out of bounds.
Encapsulating the toughness and determined mentality that helped propel Pitt to a championship in 2021, Bartholomew now aims to take the next step as the Panthers' top tight end and one of the outstanding players at the position in the conference and the entire country.
Bartholomew and the Panthers open the 2022 campaign with the renewal of the Backyard Brawl rivalry against West Virginia on Sept. 1 at Acrisure Stadium. ESPN's College GameDay will provide coverage leading up to the 7 p.m. kickoff for one of the most anticipated contests of the college football season.
Pitt football season tickets, which start at just $180, are currently on sale at PittsburghPanthers.com. For pricing, seating maps, season ticket holder benefits and more, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Bartholomew (Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Blue Mountain) went from unheralded recruit to impact true freshman last season in helping the Panthers win the 2021 ACC title.
Forming an extremely productive one-two punch with Pitt veteran presence Lucas Krull, now with the New Orleans Saints, Bartholomew became one of Kenny Pickett's favorite targets as the season progressed, especially in third down and red zone situations.
Bartholomew played in all 14 games during his debut season for the Panthers, compiling 28 catches for 326 yards (11.6 avg.) and four touchdowns. He was named a second team Freshman All-American by The Athletic and Pro Football Network and also earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors.
His role continually increased throughout the 2021 season both as a blocker and receiver, with all four of Bartholomew's touchdowns coming in ACC games. He found the end zone against Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina and Syracuse down the stretch, helping Pitt win its first outright conference title.
But perhaps the most memorable moment from Bartholomew's rookie campaign wasn't a touchdown. At Syracuse, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound specimen showed his physicality and cemented his status as a fan favorite by trucking over an Orange defender with a violent broken tackle and carrying another Syracuse player past the first down marker and out of bounds.
Encapsulating the toughness and determined mentality that helped propel Pitt to a championship in 2021, Bartholomew now aims to take the next step as the Panthers' top tight end and one of the outstanding players at the position in the conference and the entire country.
Bartholomew and the Panthers open the 2022 campaign with the renewal of the Backyard Brawl rivalry against West Virginia on Sept. 1 at Acrisure Stadium. ESPN's College GameDay will provide coverage leading up to the 7 p.m. kickoff for one of the most anticipated contests of the college football season.
Pitt football season tickets, which start at just $180, are currently on sale at PittsburghPanthers.com. For pricing, seating maps, season ticket holder benefits and more, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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