Two Pitt players — one on each side of the ball — attracted national attention Monday when quarterback Kenny Pickett and sophomore defensive tackle Calijah Kancey were named to watch lists for the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Awards.
The Maxwell is awarded to the college player of the year; the Bednarik goes to the defensive player of the year.
Pickett, who is among 80 players on the Maxwell watch list, is approaching his fifth season at Pitt — he chose to return when he could have made himself available in the NFL Draft — and his fourth as the starting quarterback. With a successful season, Pickett could challenge the Pitt records for total yards (11,148) and passing yards (11,267) set by Alex Van Pelt from 1989-1992. Pickett stands at 8,552 in total yards (third on Pitt’s all-time list) and 7,984 passing (fifth).
He also has led five fourth-quarter come-from-behind victories, the most at Pitt since quarterback Dave Havern directed five during the 1970 and 1971 seasons.
Kancey earned Freshman All-America honors from the three media services last season: Football Writers Association of America, Rivals and The Athletic. He recorded 27 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks. He is among 90 players nationwide chosen for the Bednarik watch list.
Former Pitt players Tony Dorsett and Hugh Green won the Maxwell Award in 1976 and 1980. Aaron Donald was the Bednarik recipient in 2013.
