Pitt led the ACC in 2021 All-ACC honors, edging Clemson 12-10 last season, and Athlon Sports predicts that Pitt will once again reign supreme in All-ACC honors in 2022.
Despite losing first-team All-ACC performers Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison, Athlon predicts that Pitt will have 14 All-ACC selections in 2022 — adding a fourth team in place of an honorable mention list.
With 14 honorees, Pitt has one more than Clemson, two more than Miami, three more than North Carolina State and four more than Wake Forest and North Carolina.
Kancey, who earned first-team All-ACC honors last season alongside Pickett and Addison, is predicted to do the same this season. Coming off his All-ACC, All-American campaign, the sky is the limit for a potential ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Carter Warren is predicted to retain his place on the All-ACC second team, and the trio of Habakkuk Baldonado, SirVocea Dennis and Brandon Hill are all predicted to do the same. Baldonado, Dennis and Hill have all emerged as key vocal leaders at their positions this spring, and all three are key factors across the three levels of Pitt’s defense.
Pitt’s top running back, wide receiver and tight end all make an appearance as predicted third teamers, with Israel Abanikanda, Jared Wayne and Gavin Bartholomew — and all three have the potential to rise much higher on the list this season. Sam Scarton also is predicted as a third team specialist.
And Pitt’s offensive line continues to be honored, with Owen Drexel and Marcus Minor predicted to the third team.
Konata Mumpfield, another breakout candidate at Pitt after a Freshman All-American season at Akron, is predicted to the fourth team, as are Gabe Houy and Erick Hallett — who earned honorable mentions last season.
First team – Calijah Kancey
Second team – Carter Warren, Habakkuk Baldonado, SirVocea Dennis, Bradon Hill
Third team – Israel Abanikanda, Jared Wayne, Gavin Bartholomew, Owen Drexel, Marcus Minor, Sam Scarton
Fourth team – Konata Mumpfield, Gabe Houy, Erick Hallett
Pitt has talent and depth at all positions.
Wayne is very under-rated as a wide receiver, and this will be his year to step up.
If Slovis can regain his prior form of a few seasons ago, I expect them to repeat as ACC Coastal champions.
The first 2 games will be challenging but fortunately they are at Heinz.
It will be Hot, Kancey will Slow the other Teams’ Offenses down by taking some dives much like he did against WF in the ACC Championship and Michigan State in the Peach Bowl. Then he’ll back in there a Play or two Later making Tackles…. He is Super good at doing so, rare talent in that regard.
Don’t believe go back and Watch the Film(s).
Apparently you are a fan of hurry up offenses. Look a little deeper, we learned it from others. Also, expect you are a little envious of a school with 9 national championships. Yeah, I know, they don’t count if they were before your favorite team’s only one.
Perfectly timed marketing ammo for all of the Official Visits lined up this month 🙂