Pitt Football

Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi recently raised some eyebrows when he made some critical remarks about Michigan State and the Big Ten.

During an appearance at ACC Kickoff on Thursday, Narduzzi clarified that he was simply speaking highly of his own team and he wasn't trying to disparage anyone else.

"That's just confidence. That's no disrespect to the Big Ten or Michigan State," Narduzzi said, per ESPN's Andrea Adelson. "It's just about Pitt and about the ACC. I think ACC football is really, really good, and that's really the comment there that I was trying to get across."

During an interview with local Pittsburgh podcast Bazzy's Black and Gold Banter earlier this week, Narduzzi discussed Pitt's performance against Michigan State in the Chick Fil A Peach Bowl in December. The Panthers had taken a 21-10 lead in the fourth quarter before eventually losing 31-21.

However, Pitt was without starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who skipped the bowl game in favor of preparing for the NFL draft. The Panthers also lost second string quarterback Nick Patti to injury early in the game.

Narduzzi, who was defensive coordinator for Michigan State from 2007-14, said the Panthers would've had no issues getting past the Spartans had they played at full strength. He also went further to say he thinks the Panthers would have an easy time competing in the Big Ten.

"You talk about Big Ten and SEC and ACC. If that's one of the best Big Ten teams, let's go to the Big Ten and win it every year," he said on the podcast. "I don't want to hear about this Big Ten dominance and SEC dominance."

When speaking on Thursday, Narduzzi stood by his comments. He explained that in an offseason defined by conference realignment, he's confident in his team's ability to compete against anyone.

"You hear all these things during the summer about the Power 2s and all this stuff. We'll just start there. You know, we play some darn good football in the ACC, and I think people forget about it," Narduzzi said. "I've coached in the Big Ten for eight years, so I know it. I feel very confident—and, again, it's not being arrogant. It's just kind of knowing the landscape and knowing what we played against in the Peach Bowl."

Star wide receiver Jordan Addison has opened up about his decision to transfer from Pittsburgh to USC.

Speaking to ESPN's Paolo Uggetti, Addison called it a "gut move" to leave the Panthers after winning the 2021 Biletnikoff Award to join new USC head coach Lincoln Riley's team.

"I was looking for a great coach and a good football opportunity," said Addison. "I'm still figuring myself out and what I want to do and I feel like I have a great opportunity to do that where I'm at now."

Addison's decision to enter the transfer portal caught many by surprise. He was coming off a fantastic 2021 season at Pitt with 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns on 100 receptions.

After Addison entered the portal May 3, ESPN's Pete Thamel noted his decision wouldn't be motivated by name, image and likeness money but finding the best situation for him to better prepare for a future in the NFL.

USC, Texas and Alabama were among the schools Addison considered. The Maryland native announced May 19 that he was going to play for the Trojans.

Addison becomes a critical piece for USC heading into Riley's first season as head coach. Riley was a surprise hire by the program because it didn't seem like he was going to leave Oklahoma. The 38-year-old signed a six-year extension with the Sooners in 2020 and had a 55-10 record with four Big 12 titles in five seasons from 2017 to 2021.

As a result of Riley getting a late start in recruiting for the Trojans, their incoming class of prospects ranks 10th in the Pac-12 by the 247Sports Composite.

Addison joined Antonio Bryant and Larry Fitzgerald as the only players in Pitt history to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver.

USC hasn't won at least 10 games in a season since 2017 (11-3). The program hasn't played in a bowl game in three of the past four years.     

Amid rumors he could be going to USC, star wide receiver Jordan Addison has entered the transfer portal, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Thamel reported last week that Addison was considering entering the transfer portal after spending the past two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. 

In the same report from April 30, Thamel noted Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi "caught wind of USC as a potential destination and called Trojans coach Lincoln Riley multiple times on Friday to express his displeasure."

One person told Thamel that Addison returning to Pitt "remains a very viable option," but he's expected to go through a formal process and has yet to make up his mind on a potential destination with "no expectation of an imminent decision."

Riley, who surprisingly left Oklahoma to become USC head coach in November, has been bringing plenty of talent from his previous team to the Trojans. 

Caleb Williams, the No. 2 quarterback recruit in the 2022 class who originally committed to Oklahoma in July 2020, changed his mind late in the process. He announced on Feb. 1 he was going to USC. 

Mario Williams, a top recruit last year who appeared in 12 games for the Sooners, transferred to USC in January. 

Due to the late start for Riley in the 2022 recruiting cycle, USC's incoming freshman class is ranked 10th in the Pac-12 by 247Sports' composite rankings. The group only includes eight players, though the No. 1 recruit is 5-star cornerback Domani Jackson.  

Addison, the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner, had 100 receptions and 1,593 yards as a sophomore. His 17 touchdown receptions were tied for most in the nation.     

Pittsburgh wide receiver and 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison is reportedly expected to transfer this summer and is eyeing USC as a potential destination, according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman. 

It's unclear why Addison is seeking a move from Pittsburgh.

Addison spent the first two seasons of his career with the Panthers and significantly elevated his game in 2021. He caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns en route to winning the Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding FBS receiver. 

While it's unclear why Addison wants to enter the transfer portal, USC has been a top destination for players this offseason following the hiring of Lincoln Riley as head coach. The 38-year-old went 55-10 in five seasons at Oklahoma and led the Sooners to four bowl game appearances. 

Riley has already seen several Oklahoma players follow him to USC, including quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receiver Mario Williams and cornerback Latrell McCutchin.

Other players that have transferred to the school include Oregon's Travis Dye, Stanford's Austin Jones, Washington's Terrell Bynum, Colorado's Brenden Rice, Virginia's Bobby Haskins, TCU's Earl Barquet, Kansas State's Tyrone Taleni, Auburn's Romello Height, Alabama's Shane Lee and Colorado's Mekhi Blackmon. 

The opportunity to play with Caleb Williams could potentially have been appealing to Addison. With Kenny Pickett off to the NFL, having been selecting 20th overall in the 2022 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pitt's quarterback situation for the upcoming season is uncertain. 

Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti are likely to battle for the QB1 spot, but neither is as talented as Williams. 

While he didn't start in all 11 of his appearances for the Sooners in 2021, Williams still impressed, completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns against four interceptions. He also rushed for 442 yards and six touchdowns. 

Thinking about Williams and Addison linking up in 2022 is sure to have Trojans fans excited. 

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett is one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2022 NFL draft, but this year's quarterback class has been considered weaker than in years past. 

In fact, at least one AFC executive criticized Pickett's arm and claimed he "doesn't have any goddamn upside."

The executive said, per NFL.com's Tom Pelissero:

Just his demeanor, coming away from center, how he handled everything, Pickett was the most impressive. He was the biggest guy, strongest stature -- he just felt like a quarterback. But then your concern is the arm. There's nothing special about it. What's he going to look like when he's getting his ass f---ing blitzed and having to throw off-platform, and he has to win with his arm only? He's mobile enough. He can move, he's not lot like a statue. If you had to have a m-----f----- play right now, it's Pickett, but he doesn't have any goddamn upside.

While the AFC executive was concerned about Pickett's arm, an AFC quarterbacks coach said the 23-year-old has "got plenty of arm" and "all the tools that you need."

In addition, Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department notes that Pickett has "above-average overall arm strength," good accuracy and can easily create throws out of the pocket. 

One of the biggest concerns about Pickett entering the draft was the size of his hands. His hands measured at 8.5 inches at the NFL Combine and 8 5/8 inches at Pittsburgh's pro day three weeks later. According to Pelissero, the baseline for hand size of NFL quarterbacks is nine inches. 

Regardless, Pickett had an impressive senior season for the Panthers in 2021, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 13 games. He also rushed for 241 yards and five scores. 

While it's unclear which teams might be interested in Pickett leading up to the draft, several teams could use a quarterback for the future, including the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. 

If Pickett is still on the board when one of those teams is on the clock, he could end up being selected in the first round. However, Malik Willis is believed to be the better quarterback in this year's class, and he's not even considered better than any of the first rounders from the 2021 class. 

Kenny Pickett's hand size was one of the biggest storylines when it came to quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine, and Thursday's measurement doesn't change that fact.

ESPN's Field Yates reported his hands measured 8.5 inches. ESPN's Matt Miller noted that means Pickett's hands are smaller than any NFL quarterback's as he looks to join the league as a potential first-rounder this year.

The Pittsburgh product explained during Wednesday's press conference that he performed mobility stretches while trying to increase his hand size:

There is some additional context to consider, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero previously explained:

Following Thursday's measurement, ESPN's Todd McShay pointed out the "red flag line" is nine inches for quarterback hands. While that means Pickett fell below that threshold, McShay also pointed out "most teams aren't putting any real stock into it."

Miller spoke to an NFL quarterbacks coach who said "That's all bulls--t," when talking about Pickett's hand size. "Can he play or can he not play? I think he can play."

He proved he can play during the 2021 campaign when he completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading Pittsburgh to the ACC title.

Now he will have to hope that matters more to teams than his small hands.          

Kenny Pickett is still likely a first-round pick, but his predraft process has not generated an overwhelming amount of support. 

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network dropped Pickett 10 spots on his latest predraft rankings to No. 28 overall. While the Pitt product remains the top quarterback on Jeremiah's board, he's now just four slots ahead of Liberty's Malik Willis. 

That continues a trend over the last several weeks, with some experts even moving Willis ahead of Pickett as the top quarterback in this class.

The relative souring on Pickett does not appear to be of his own making. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021 and was stellar during a brief appearance in the Senior Bowl, completing all six of his passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

That said, this time of the football calendar is rarely about actual on-field play. Pickett's hand size and double-jointed thumbs have been making the rounds for weeks, with the 6'3", 220-pound quarterback choosing to delay hand measurements until the scouting combine.

Pickett downplayed the concerns at the Senior Bowl, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN:

“I think that’s like the No. 1 thing for quarterbacks in the draft process every year is hand size. The good news is that I play in Pittsburgh. Anyone that’s been to Pittsburgh knows it’s not the nicest place to play in October, November. So I’ve had experience playing in tough weather and I didn’t measure in this week. I just want to give the most measurement I can. I’m working on mobility things.”

Willis, by contrast, has been a riser thanks in large part because of his physical skill set. While it's clear Pickett is the far more NFL-ready passer for Week 1 of the 2022 season, Willis' combination of size, arm talent and speed have drawn comparisons to Josh Allen—making him the type of gamble that will intrigue teams in the middle of Round 1.

Deciding between the two may come down to whether a general manager wants to play it safe with the more refined Pickett or roll the dice on Willis' skill set. 

The Carolina Panthers reportedly have eyes on selecting their quarterback of the future in this year's NFL draft.

Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that he was hearing from sources that the Panthers were enamored with Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, and they could choose him with the No. 6 pick.

"Word is, the Panthers are taking a strong shine to Pickett, which makes sense on multiple levels," Benjamin wrote.

After putting together a stellar senior season at Pitt, Pickett further boosted his draft stock last weekend at the Senior Bowl. He completed all six of his pass attempts for 89 yards and a touchdown in one quarter of play.

The Panthers dealt with wildly inconsistent quarterback play last season. Sam Darnold started the year and led the team to a 3-0 record, but his propensity for turnovers returned, and the team went on a four-game losing streak before he suffered a shoulder injury.

Carolina turned to backup P.J. Walker and even brought back 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, but neither was a viable solution. The Panthers ended the year with seven straight losses to finish with a record of 5-12.

Despite having Darnold in the fold for next season, Benjamin wrote that people around the league believe the Panthers won't let Pickett get away.

"I don't think he makes it past the Panthers," one evaluator who has done extensive work on Pickett told Benjamin. "Their owner [David Tepper] is a huge Pitt booster. He hasn't invested draft capital in a quarterback yet. He has to know the Steelers like him [Tepper is a former minority investor in the Steelers]. I think that's a fit."

Whether they select a quarterback in the draft or not, the Panthers offense is expected to look different next year after the hiring of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo under head coach Matt Rhule.

Could Kenny Pickett be the first quarterback off the board in the 2022 NFL draft?

It's possible, and one AFC executive believes the Pittsburgh Panthers star is probably the most pro-ready QB in this year's class, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler:

Multiple execs have actually used the term 'safe' when describing Pickett to me, in that you know what you're getting with him. An AFC exec called Pickett 'probably [the] most pro-ready' despite not wowing much this week. And you weren't the only one impressed with his red zone work Thursday, Todd. Many execs pointed it out when talking about his game after Pickett found open targets there both inside and to the corners." 

Pickett had a great senior season for the Panthers, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He also rushed for 233 yards and five scores.

The 23-year-old has been in Alabama all week preparing for the 2022 Senior Bowl, which took place Saturday. Entering the game, he was named the top quarterback on the National Team, beating out Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder and Nevada's Carson Strong for the honor.

During the Senior Bowl, Pickett completed all six of his passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Ridder went 4-of-6 for 68 yards and two touchdowns, while Strong went 6-of-11 for 67 yards and an interception.

After coming off the field during the game, a 20-10 win for the National Team, Pickett addressed why he believes he should be the first quarterback selected in this year's draft.

"I think I know how to win," Pickett said while speaking with NFL Network. "That's the number one thing in this game, so that right there."

In addition to Pickett, Malik Willis, Matt Corral and Sam Howell are expected to be some of the top quarterbacks off the board.

Several teams in need of an upgrade at quarterback could be interested in selecting Pickett in this year's draft, including the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions.

The Steelers need a quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement following a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Panthers could use a new signal-caller with Sam Darnold continuing to struggle, and the same could be said for Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater in Denver, and Jared Goff in Detroit. 

With all due respect to the Masters, the annual consternation over the hand sizes of NFL draft-eligible quarterbacks is a tradition unlike any other.

This year, the spotlight is on Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, and his collegiate head coach Pat Narduzzi is not happy about it, per ESPN's Andrea Adelson:

It's a complete joke, measuring this, measuring that. If they want to measure anything, what they should do is do open heart surgery, go check and see how big that chest cavity is and how big the heart is inside that chest, if you really want to analyze. What are we talking about? There's nobody out there who's going to play harder and put everything he's got into it than Kenny Pickett. This kid doesn't have a flaw. That's what [scouts] do. It's the same thing at the combine, they're going to find something else to pick on him. It's not going to be a factor.

Pickett, who is currently attending the Senior Bowl, has chosen to delay his hand-size measurements until the NFL Scouting Combine in March.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network explained why:

As noted by Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, an AFC area scout said that Pickett's hand size "is under nine [inches], for sure."

That hand size didn't matter when Pickett was carving up defenses last year to the tune of 4,319 passing yards, 42 touchdowns (seven interceptions) and 8.7 yards per attempt en route to leading Pitt to the ACC title.

Ultimately, hand size concerns aren't anything new. Of note, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's hand size came into question two years ago, but the signal-caller fired back at his critics:

Burrow and his nine-inch hands have since led the Bengals to their Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.

It's up for debate in regards to how Pickett will fare in the pros, but it's highly unlikely his hand size will have anything to do with it.