According to Pitt’s website, three Panther players have been recognized as candidates for the prestigious Maxwell Honors, given annually to the best players in the NCAA.
Junior running back James Conner was named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the College Player of the Year. Senior defensive end Ejuan Price and sophomore safety Jordan Whitehead were named candidates for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year.
Conner, whose inspirational battle with cancer sparked a great deal of national attention, is also looking to comeback from a season-ending knee injury suffered in last year’s opener and build on his ACC Player-of-the-Year winning, 1700+ yard sophomore season.
Ejuan Price is looking to build upon 2015’s stat line of 48 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. His play earned him First-team All-ACC honors, and he’s been tabbed as one of 2016’s likely double-digit sack performer by ESPN.
Dynamic duel-threat Jordan Whitehead led the Panthers in tackles last year with 109, and even contributed on offense, racking up over one hundred yards on the ground and 2 tds. He was named as one of college football’s most versatile players, and as a potential Heisman candidate.
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