Calijah Kancey is officially the only player in college football who is a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy.
Kancey was named one of the three finalists for the Outland Trophy, the award given to the best interior lineman in college football, and he’s the only defensive finalist.
Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski are the other finalists.
Kancey has been one of the best defenders in college football this season, without needing award recognition to confirm his status as an elite defensive game wrecker, and it’s only been the continuation of his dominant Pitt career.
With 31 tackles (17 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks this season, Kancey is second in the ACC in tackles for loss and third in sacks as an interior defensive lineman — despite missing a game and a half. According to Pro Football Focus, Kancey is the ninth highest-rated defender in college football this season.
In his Pitt career, through nearly three seasons, Kancey has recorded 91 tackles (52 solo), 34.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
A leading candidate for ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Kancey also spearheads a Pitt defense that leads the country in sacks, ranks seventh nationally against the run and ranks 19th in fewest total yards allowed.
Kancey would join Mark May (1980) and Aaron Donald (2013), as Pitt’s third winner.
The Outland Trophy winner will be announced at the College Football Award Ceremony on Dec. 8 on ESPN.
