When Jordan Addison was being recruited out of Tuscarora High School, there was some talk over whether he would eventually wind up as a wide receiver or defensive back. And while Addison would likely be an excellent safety, it’s clear he’s the best wide receiver.
Addison has already been awarded the Biletnikoff Award for his super sophomore season, racking up 1,497 yards and 17 touchdowns, and now he’s officially a consensus first team All-American. With AP, FWAA and Walter Camp Foundation first team honors, he’s gained three of the five major selectors.
If Addison earns All-American honors from Sporting News and the AFCA, he would become a unanimous All-American.
Pitt hasn’t had a consensus All-American wide receiver since Larry Fitzgerald in 2003, who also placed second in Heisman voting and won the Biletnikoff Award himself. Antonio Bryant, Pitt’s third Biletnikoff Award winner, was also a consensus All-American in 2000.
Fitzgerald racked up 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns on 92 receptions in his 2003 campaign, and Bryant caught 68 balls for 1,302 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2000.
Since 2000, Pitt has had four other consensus All-American seasons, coming on the defensive side of the ball and special teams. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald in 2013, kick returner Quadree Henderson in 2016 and defensive ends Patrick Jones and Rashad Weaver in 2020.
Donald put together one of the best defensive seasons in recent memory in 2013, notching 59 tackles (43 solo), 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes defended from the interior of Pitt’s defense.
Henderson racked up 914 kick return yards and three touchdowns and 252 punt return yards and another touchdown as the top return man in the nation in 2016.
Jones and Weaver led Pitt’s defense in 2020, with Jones racking up 42 tackles (24 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and a fumble recovery while Weaver notched 34 tackles (22 solo), 14 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a recovery.
Donald and Fitzgerald were both unanimous All-Americans while all of the players to earn consensus All-American honors wound up in the NFL at some point — either through the NFL Draft or free agency.
