Rafael Araujo-Lopes

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

Photo by: Pete Madia/Pitt Athletics

Position:
WR
Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Height:
5-9
Weight:
185
Hometown:
Kissimmee, FL
High School:
Winter Park

2018: Played in all 14 games, starting five…led Pitt in receptions for the second consecutive season, totaling 37 catches for 380 yards (10.3 avg.) and four touchdowns…had a season-high 73 yards receiving on six catches (12.2 avg.) at Wake Forest…had a four-yard scoring reception against the Demon Deacons, giving Pitt a 13-10 third-quarter lead in an eventual 34-13 victory…had a career-best two touchdown catches (3 and 42 yards) in a season-opening 33-7 win over Albany…made a key second-half play against Syracuse when he took a screen pass 68 yards for a touchdown, helping Pitt to a 44-37 overtime win…was the Panthers’ top punt returner, averaging 8.4 yards per return (19 for 159 yards)…had an 86-yard punt return touchdown at UCF, the longest return by an ACC player in 2018 and the fifth longest (tied) nationally...named to the All-ACC Academic Football Team for the second consecutive year.

2017: Played in all 12 games, starting one…starting assignment came in the regular-season finale, a 24-14 win over No. 2 Miami…led Pitt in receptions, compiling 43 catches for 531 yards (12.3 avg.) and two touchdowns…posted career highs with seven receptions for 100 yards at Syracuse (14.3 avg.)…had six catches for 89 yards (14.8 avg.) and a 14-yard TD against Oklahoma State…other scoring reception was a 13-yarder at Virginia Tech…had one punt return for 20 yards against Duke…also resumed his role on special teams coverage units and totaled eight tackles on the season...named to the All-ACC Academic Football Team.

2016: Played in all 13 games to earn his first letter…served as a reserve receiver and on special teams…compiled three receptions for 36 yards (12.0 avg.), six rushes for 32 yards on jet sweeps (5.3 avg.) and three kickoff returns for 98 yards (32. 7 avg.) on the year…also had eight tackles on special teams coverage units.

2015: Did not play in any games and redshirted.

AT REEDLEY (2014): In his lone season at Reedley (Calif.) College, Araujo-Lopes was a California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) All-American after compiling 74 receptions for 1,229 yards (16.6 avg.) and 17 touchdowns in 10 games…played under Coach Randy Whited.

HIGH SCHOOL: Playing at Winter Park, a Florida 8A (largest classification) school, Araujo-Lopes rushed for 1,015 yards and 16 touchdowns on 144 carries (7.0 avg.) as a senior…added 26 receptions for 511 yards (19.6) and five TDs…played under Coach Tim Shifflet…rated the No. 28 prospect in the Orlando Sentinel Central Florida “Super 60”…first team all-district…selected to play in the Central Florida All-Star Game and was named the offensive MVP for the West after catching five passes for 93 yards (18.6 avg.), including a 57-yard TD.

PERSONAL: Rafael Luiz Araujo-Lopes (pronounced ah-roo-joe), born 4/7/96, is the son of Renata Araujo and Yisiah Lopes…has three brothers and one sister...earned his bachelor's degree in public service and enrolled in Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.