Pickett Sticks With Pitt

Quarterback Kenny Pickett has been committed to Pitt since June but recent events put that commitment in a bit of doubt. Luckily for the Pitt program, Pickett is back on board 100% and will be enrolling in a couple of weeks.

“There were multiple reasons why I stayed, first was a strong relationship with Coach Narduzzi. He has the program in the right direction. Secondly, my relationship with the players in my class. We are all really tight and we’re looking forward to playing together and winning an ACC Championship,” said Pickett.

“Also, my official visit went great, my host was Thomas MacVittie and me just clicked, plus I was able to spend time with Max and Ben so I feel the quarterback room will be competitive but we’ll all be pulling for each other to get better and pushing each other to get better.”

Photo courtesy of Kenny Pickett

I talked with Pickett about what caused the second thoughts and what eased his mind.

“When Coach Canada accepted the LSU job, I needed to take a step back and talk with my family and coaches. We just came back from my official so the announcement took me and my family by surprise. Not having either a position coach and offensive coordinator really made me reevaluate things.”

“As a quarterback, it’s really important to have a relationship and understanding of the offensive coordinators philosophy but speaking with Coach Narduzzi multiple times gave me comfort that I made the right decision. I’m looking forward to getting on campus and working with the team and the new OC/QB coach. Coach Narduzzi has made 2 very good OC hires in the past 2 years and I have trust in him with this next hire,” said Pickett.

Photo courtesy of Kenny Pickett

As has been the case with countless recruits over the last couple of years, the personal relationship with Coach Narduzzi is what closed the deal.

“He is the ideal coach for me. His passion for the game and honesty is what I was looking for. Coach Narduzzi also spoke with my parents and plans for the future. We both left the conversation very impressed with his plan for the offense and style of OC he is looking for right after the bowl game. Also, Coach Salem was a great resource to talk to. He reached out to my parents first about the situation so we were able to have an open conversation about it,” said Pickett.

Pickett has already started learning what it’s like to go through Bowl practices and continued his bonding with the team. On Friday, he traveled to New York to watch Pitt practice and he tells me he’ll be attending the Pinstripe Bowl with 12 family and friends.

Photo courtesy of Kenny Pickett

Following the bowl game and New Years, it will be time for Pickett to start the next chapter of his left and that’s being college student and D-1 quarterback.

“I’m really excited to get to Pitt and start working hard. I think that’s my biggest strength as well as leadership and work ethic. If you talk to all my coaches and people who know me, they’ll tell you that I’ll bring those traits,” said Pickett.

“I’ve been training for the past month and a half at home with both my strength and speed coach. Playing this position is very demanding and I can’t wait to get on campus and work with Coach Andrews, Coach Wesley and players in the off-season.”