Pitt’s Bartholomew, Kradel on Prestigious Award Watch Lists
8/4/2023 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Two more Pitt football players were named to prestigious award watch lists today.
Tight end Gavin Bartholomew was named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, presented to college football's outstanding tight end, while Jake Kradel was named a preseason candidate for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation's top center.
Entering his junior campaign, Bartholomew has played in every single game the past two seasons (27), making 18 starts. He has compiled 609 yards and six touchdowns on 49 catches (12.4 avg.) over that span.
Bartholomew made one of last season's most memorable plays: a dazzling 57-yard catch-and-run touchdown against Tennessee, hurdling a defender in the process.
This is the second watch list Bartholomew has been named to this week. He earlier was named a preseason candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy, college football's top award for community service.
Kradel enters his final collegiate season as the Panthers' unquestioned elder statesman on the offensive front. He has played in 43 career games, including 38 starting assignments.
In addition to being Pitt's most experienced offensive lineman, he is also the most versatile.
Initially a guard last season, he moved to center when injuries struck and manned that critical position for eight of his 13 starts. His play was pivotal for a Pitt offense that produced a 1,000-yard rusher (Israel Abanikanda) and 1,000-yard receiver (Jared Wayne) in the same season for the first time since 2014 and just the fourth time ever.
Kradel was a 2022 All-ACC selection at guard and received Honorable Mention at center.
The Panthers are in the midst of their opening week of training camp. Pitt opens its 2023 season against Wofford at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 2. For Pitt football ticket information, log on to PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.
Pitt Players on Preseason Watch Lists:
Maxwell Award (National Player of the Year): Quarterback Phil Jurkovec
Outland Trophy (Interior Lineman): Offensive Tackle Matt Goncalves
Lou Groza Award (Place-Kicker): Place-kicker Ben Sauls
Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile): Cornerback/Punt Returner M.J. Devonshire
Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service): Tight End Gavin Bartholomew and Defensive Tackle David Green
John Mackey Award (Tight End): Tight End Gavin Bartholomew
Rimington Trophy (Center): Center Jake Kradel
National College Football Awards Association Watch List Calendar:
Mon., July 31: Maxwell Award
Tue., Aug. 1: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Wed., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Thu., Aug. 3: Paul Hornung Award/Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., Aug. 4: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Tue., Aug. 8: Davey O'Brien Award
Wed., Aug. 9: Doak Walker Award
Thu., Aug. 10: Butkus Award/Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Fri., Aug. 11: Walter Camp Award
Mon., Aug. 14: Bednarik Award
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