It’s not a secret that Pitt has one of the best offensive and defensive lines in college football. If Pitt is going to win another ACC championship, it all starts upfront on both sides of the ball.
And with Calijah Kancey and Carter Warren leading the way up front on both sides of the ball, Pitt is once again in very good hands. The Outland Trophy voters believe so too.
The Football Writers Association of America has announced that both Kancey and Warren have been named to the 2022 Outland Trophy preseason watchlist — the award given to college football’s best interior lineman.
The FWAA also announced that Kancey has been named to the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watchlist — the award given to the best defensive player in college football.
As a sophomore in 2021, earning first-team All-ACC and third-team All-American honors, Kancey racked up 35 tackles (25 solo), 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defense as the anchor of Pitt’s stellar defensive line.
In just two seasons, he’s compiled 62 tackles (37 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble. And that’s all come as a defensive tackle — an anchor inside.
Kancey has been named Lott Impact Trophy watchlist and has been given preseason first-team All-ACC and preseason first- and second-team All-American honors this offseason.
“That’s the standard here, sacks and TFLs,” Kancey said in March. “Everyone here is ready, a lot of young guys stepping up and a lot of older guys just polishing and knocking off the rust.”
Warren garnered second-team All-ACC honors last season for a Pitt attack that posted school-record production in points (41.4) and yards per game (486.6). With a new quarterback but plenty of returning talent at every other offensive position, Warren will again be a key piece to Pitt’s offense in 2022.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pound New Jersey native turned down a Senior Bowl invite to return to Pitt for one last season as Pitt’s starting left tackle. His presence on Pitt’s line — along with the rest of Pitt’s starting offensive line from 2021 — adds another difference maker on Pitt’s offense. And there’s an emphasis on run blocking this year.
“Honestly, I want to show everybody that we can run the ball,” Warren said at ACC Media Days. “Personally, you know, with the offense we had before prior, we primarily were passing the ball, but I just want to show people that I can be physical, I can be dominant on the field when we’re running that ball. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Pitt is one of nine teams with two players on the Outland watchlist, joined by nine fellow ACC players. Three finalists will be announced for both awards later this year, and both winners will be announced at the ESPN’s College Football Awards in December.
Excellent selections and both well-deserved. Do great things C & C … H2P !