Pitt Walk-Ons John Petrishen, Jake Zilinskas Awarded Scholarships

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi announced on Tuesday that a pair of his walk-ons have been given scholarships for the 2020 season.

In a press conference with the Pittsburgh media on Tuesday, Narduzzi said that sixth-year linebacker John Petrishen and redshirt senior tight end Jake Zilinskas will be added to his team’s scholarship rolls for the fall.

EARNED. Congrats to @JacobZili and @jP5_ERA ‼️💪🏽 #H2P pic.twitter.com/j00FQcsHZr

— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) September 1, 2020

Petrishen, a Lower Burrell native and Central Catholic alum, is entering his second season at Pitt after joining the program a year ago as a transfer from Penn State. He played in seven games, mostly on special teams and made two tackles.

After joining the Panthers as a strong safety, Narduzzi said that Petrishen has moved to the team’s Star outside linebacker position for 2020, where he is expected to back up starter Cam Bright.

Jake Zilinskas (19) hands the ball off during the annual NCAA football spring Blue Gold game, Saturday, April 14, 2018 — DAVID HAGUE

Zilinskas is an Indiana Area grad and Indiana, Pa. native that joined the Panthers before the 2017 season after playing one season at Division III John Carroll as a quarterback. At Pitt, he spent one season at quarterback, one at tight end and one at linebacker as a scout team player before re-joining the tight end room and carving out a niche in advance of the 2020 season.

With the additions of Petrishen and Zilinskas, Pitt will be at the 85-man roster limit entering the 2020 season.