Redshirt senior offensive lineman Gabe Houy was one of many Pitt Panthers to announce on Monday his intentions to opt out of the Sun Bowl in order to fully prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft.
The graduate of Upper St. Clair High School started 21 games during his Pitt career, including 12 games this past season. The past two seasons, the 6’6″, 325-pound Houy was a mainstay on the right side of Dave Borbely’s starting offensive line, playing both right tackle and right guard.
“First and foremost, I’m sincerely grateful for my coaches, teammates, training staff, family, friends, and the University of Pittsburgh community for making my time here at Pitt an incredible journey. Thank you to Coach Narduzzi for your continued support and belief in me. I’m proud to have won an ACC Championship with you. Thank you to Coach Borbely for always pushing me to be my best, not only as a lineman, but as a man. Thank you to the strength staff and trainers for helping me to perform at the highest level. Thank you to my teammates for all the memories we’ve made and the lessons we’ve learned together. Thank you to my family and friends for all the unconditional love and support. After careful consideration and thought, I’ve decided to forgo our bowl game and prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft. It has been an honor representing my hometown, the city of champions, Pittsburgh. Hail to Pitt!”
Houy earned his bachelor’s degree in administration of justice and is pursuing a second major in communication.
Houy along with left tackle Carter Warren, left guard Marcus Minor and center Owen Drexel all played their last game as a Pitt Panther this season. Guard/center Jake Kradel is the only member of the starting line that has the option to return in 2023.
35 years ago a former colleague of mine who was very astute predicted that money would ruin college sports. He was right.
I’ll still root for Pitt, it is what it is.
Good Comment!
Maybe just list the guys that are playing, instead of opting out…might be a shorter list.
This is by far the most self centered generation, and I have had enough of them. Perhaps they need to parade down the sidelines with their binkies during the Sun Bowl, while the enablers and broadcasters praise them.
I agree. I’ve been a huge college football fan for over 40 years and I am getting tired of it. The money and free agency go hand in hand and have ruined college football and basketball. What a shame. You watch these guys get up and strut and pose after they tackle a guy who has just run for 15 yards and a first down. You know what – do that after you tackle someone for a loss or you get a sack. Be a man and represent your school like a man for crying out loud. I would hate… Read more »
I’m with you Rooster. From the collapse of the PAC 10 to transfer portal, I don’t recognize it anymore. I never renewed our season tickets for PITT after decades of fun. I’d rather watch D3 and Canadian Football at this point.
Bowls are exhibition games now. Scrap the bowls and these ridiculous conferences. 10 game season with a 16 team playoff will make this more interesting and inspire more to stick around. This just plain sucks. I have zero enthusiasm for this game. None.
I’m with your 16 team playoff field. 👍12 games in the regular season, though.
I would rather have 12 but I think there would be alot of pushback against that many games for the finalists and semi final teams.
You’re probably correct on that.
And it’s not like these are first round picks we are talking about. These are late round guys at best or UFA’S.
Congrats to Gabe. He is a stellar representative of Upper St. Clair high school. And a Websters definition of student/athlete. I’m proud that PITT does pretty well on the ACC academic teams. H2P.
Will be a non-drafted free agent. Surprised he wont play – cant but help in his desire to play on Sundays.
Im a little old school and some disagree and that’s fine. People talk about bowl games being devalued, with that point so has the value, appreciation, and level of gratitude for a scholarship. There are people busting their tails out there to pay college tuition. These guys got a free ride which they earned. I get it, they’re thinking draft and making business decisions. But it just seems to me nowadays that the value of a student athlete receiving a scholarship has diminished. They want to be paid, add up the cost of 4-5 years of tuition and in some… Read more »
I use to. Sponsor players out of coastal Carolina…kids like this need to prepare so they score high…The kids going in the first or second around really don’t need to…