Die-Hards: Pitt’s Jordan Addison’s Rise to Stardom Isn’t a Surprise

If Kenny Pickett throws for 400 yards against North Carolina Thursday night at Heinz Field, there’s a very good chance that Jordan Addison is responsible for at least 150 of those yards.

At least, ACC Network’s (and former Clemson offensive lineman) Eric Mac Lain expects as much from the sophomore wideout in what should be a shootout between two future NFL starting quarterbacks and their high-powered offenses. While the national attention has been focused on Pickett’s meteoric rise as a redshirt senior this season, and for good reason, Addison has been a key piece in unlocking that hidden potential.

With just a season and a half — restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic almost the entire time — spent at the collegiate level with Pitt, Addison has not only become Pickett’s favorite target but he’s developed into one of the most complete wide receivers in the game.

And while Addison isn’t the biggest (6-foot-0, 175 pounds) or the fastest (clocked at a 4.5 40-yard dash) guy on the football field, he’s used his excellent freshman season as a launchpad to becoming to one of the best wide receivers in college football through the overall completeness of his game.