Big Quarterback Names Emerging from the Transfer Portal as Possibilities for Pitt

The question at first was will Pitt be looking to bring in a transfer quarterback to compete next season to replace Kenny Pickett.

Now, it is sounding as if the better question is which quarterback will that be?

Over the weekend, a couple more names have surfaced in Pitt’s apparent search for a quarterback to add to their 2022 roster.

The original name to surface was Florida State transfer Chubba Purdy, who in fact took an official visit to Pitt last weekend.

Since that visit, things have been quiet as Purdy has kept details and future plans quiet.

Over the weekend, two new names surfaced with players from high profile programs. The big difference between these players and Purdy is the in-game experience that they’d bring.

The second name to be reported was Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada.

Calzada to Pitt (from what it looks like) is gonna be perfect for the guy! Can’t wait to see what he does

— Barstool Texas A&M (@BarstoolTexasAM) December 18, 2021

Barstool Texas A&M reported on Saturday that “Zach Calzada will transfer to Pitt via the NCAA Transfer Portal.”

Pittsburgh Sports Now has reached out to Calzada multiple times but haven’t gotten a response.

Calzada (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) started the season as the backup to redshirt freshman Haynes King but that changed two games into the season as King suffered a season ending injury.

Calzada went on to start the final 10 games, the highlight of which was a 41-38 win over No. 1 Alabama. In that game, Calzada threw for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns. For the season, he threw for 2,185 yards, 17 touchdowns with a 56.3 completion percentage.

The native of Buford, Georgia was a member of Texas A&M’s Class of 2019 and would have three seasons of athletic eligibility remaining.

The other interesting nugget comes from Chris Peak of Panther-lair, who reports that Calzada has recently made an unofficial visit to Pitt. Because it’s the dead period, he wasn’t able to be hosted by the Pitt coaches but he toured the campus and city on his own.

What a ride 🖤 pic.twitter.com/ydRnuM2e8e

— Zach Calzada (@ZachCalzada) December 13, 2021

The third name to be thrown around is one that’s getting some steam and that’s USC transfer Kedon Slovis.

Like with Calzada, a Barstool writer is saying Slovis will transfer to Pitt.

Kedon Slovis to Pitt.

Will be announced this week.

— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) December 20, 2021

Slovis has a similar background to Calzada as he got an opportunity due to an injury. Back in 2019 as a true freshman, he stepped in for an injured JT Daniels and went on to throw for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns and was named PAC-12 Freshman of the Year.

During last season’s COVID year, in 6 games, Slovis passed for 1,921 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. That performance got him named to the PAC-12 First Team.

Despite that success, Slovis fell into a quarterback rotation this season with freshman Jaxon Dart and finished 2021 with 2,153 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Following the season, Slovis announced that he intended to transfer from USC. Slovis would have two seasons of athletic eligibility remaining.

One other interesting note about Slovis is that he has a familiarity with Pittsburgh and Pitt’s campus because he reportedly dates Pitt women’s soccer player Kate McCay.