Pitt cornerback Jason Pinnock has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2021 Hula Bowl, the game announced via social media on Saturday morning.
Pinnock, 21, started in 10 of 11 games at cornerback for the Panthers this season, giving him 19 starts in his Pitt career.
He finished the 2020 season tied for the Pitt high with three interception and was second on the team with seven passes defended. He also recorded 19 tackles, one for a loss.
A 6-foot-1, 205-pound cornerback out of Windsor, Connecticut, Pinnock broke out as a sophomore in 2018, seeing the largest share of his workload against bigger and more physical wide receivers.
After a preseason injury to fellow expected starter Damarri Mathis, Pinnock instead saw increased amount of playing time against other team’s top wide receivers in 2020 while youngsters Marquis Williams and A.J. Woods eased into larger roles on the other side of the field.
The Hula Bowl was first played in 1947 and was revived in 2020 after a 12-year hiatus. Pitt wide receiver and kick returner Maurice French played in the 2020 Hula Bowl.
Pinnock is the first Pitt player to commit to play in the 2021 Hula Bowl. Center Jimmy Morrissey has also been invited to play in the game, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Defensive ends Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver and safety Damar Hamlin have accepted invitations to play in the 2021 Senior Bowl, scheduled for Jan. 30 in Mobile, Ala.
Pinnock had previously committed to participate in the College Gridiron Showcase, Jan 17-21 in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s not immediately clear if he will participate in both events. Pitt wide receiver and kick returner DJ Turner and guard Bryce Hargrove are also expected to participate in that event.
