Die-Hards: The Success of Kenny Pickett and the Pitt OL Goes Hand in Hand

When Pat Bostick was the quarterback at Pitt in the late 2000s, LeSean McCoy prowled the backfield and the Panthers still played in the Big East. Pitt upset then-No. 2 West Virginia under Bostick’s command in the 100th Backyard Brawl, and the Panthers experienced their last stretch of extended winning while he was under center — until now.

Of course, one thing is still the same. Like Bostick before him, Pitt redshirt senior quarterback Kenny Pickett has made it his job to give his offensive line the credit they deserve, and it goes far beyond words.

Continuing a tradition from his high school days back in Oakhurst, N.J., Pickett treats his offensive line to a ‘Hog Dinner’ every week. As part of Pickett’s name, image and likeness deal with Spirits & Tales in the Oaklander Hotel, Pickett has been able to treat himself and six of his offensive linemen to all-you-can-eat meals this season.

In a 180 degree turn from the conventional thought process that student-athletes would use NIL deals for their own benefit, Pickett not only takes care of his offensive line but the Western Pennsylvania Boys and Girls Club through the sale of his branded t-shirts — however, this piece is focusing on the Pitt offensive line.