Eight days from their 2020 season opener, the Pitt Panthers have named their team captains for the upcoming season.
Pat Narduzzi has announced that safety Damar Hamlin, defensive end Patrick Jones II, center Jimmy Morrissey and quarterback Kenny Pickett will captain the 2020 Pitt squad. These selections were voted on by their teammates.
For Jones, Hamlin and Pickett this is the first time being named captains. For Morrissey, this is the second consecutive season that he’s received this honor.
“Our team made outstanding selections in voting these four players captains for the 2020 season,” Narduzzi said in a press release. “Damar, Patrick, Jimmy and Kenny have really shown themselves to be outstanding leaders, especially during a challenging offseason and unconventional training camp. They are highly deserving of the honor of wearing that ‘C’ on their uniforms.”
Morrissey, who was all named a preseason All-ACC selection and has the been the rock of the offensive line, starting 36 games over the last three seasons.
Pickett, who is a Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas and Manning Award candidate, is entering his third full season as the Panthers’ starting quarterback. In his first season in Mark Whipple’s system last year, Pickett threw for over 3,000 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Hamlin was granted a fifth year of eligibility from the NCAA and was second on the Panthers defense last season with 84 tackles. Hamlin and junior Paris Ford form one of the most talented safety combinations in the country.
Jones is the Panthers’ top returning defensive lineman after collecting 43 tackles and 8.5 sacks a year ago. Jones is being mentioned as a possible first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
