Calijah Kancey had a breakout freshman season and the expectation is that his high level of player will continue this upcoming season.
The sophomore defensive tackle was named by the Football Writers Association of America as a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the top defensive football player in the country. Previously, Kancey was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, which is given by the Maxwell Football Club to the top college defensive player in the country.
During his freshman season, the Miami native accounted for 27 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. That performance earned him Freshman All-American honors from Rivals, The Athletic and the Football Writers Association of America.
Charlie Partridge will lean on Kancey, Keyshon Camp, Devin Danielson, Tyler Bentley, DeAndre Jules and Elliot Donald as the nucleus of Pitt’s defensive tackles for the 2021 season.