Pitt is a school that uses its NIL opportunities to give back to the local community, and that’s certainly no different as the 2023 season rolls around.
Deslin Alexandre didn’t win the Wuerffel Trophy last season for his community service efforts, but he did win the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, and Pitt has two guys on the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy preseason watchlist.
Gavin Bartholomew and David Green have been added to the Wuerffel Trophy watchlist, which is college football’s premier award for community service.
Bartholomew recently led an effort on behalf of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to benefit underserved children and families throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.
He is coming off a season in which he caught 21 passes for 283 yards (13.5 yards per reception) and two touchdowns, and he’s expected to take the next step in Pitt’s offense this season with Frank Cignetti Jr.’s offense now in Year 2.
Green has launched a fundraising campaign aimed at raising $22,222 for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania, an organization he volunteers with and was himself a beneficiary of as a youth.
Green is one of the defensive leaders this season, returning for his final season of eligibility, and he’s coming off his best season yet — recording 22 tackles (11 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble (which led to a Brandon Hill scoop and score) and a pass breakup.
Phil Jurkovec and Byron Floyd are also using NIL to give back to the community this season, with Jurkovec setting a fundraising goal of $100,000 for the UPMC Children’s Hospital’s NICU and Floyd setting a fundraising goal of $49,000 for UPMC Children’s Hospital.
The 2023 Wuerffel Trophy honoree will be formally announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. It will be broadcast on ESPN.
