Since the insertion of Nate Yarnell as Pitt’s starting quarterback, the player that’s benefited the most and opened a lot of eyes has been Karter Johnson.
The senior tight end from Pickerington, Ohio had a career-high in receptions, six against Duke and looked like a player that could be a featured player in a team’s passing attack.
Johnson feels the same way and will see if this late season bond that he’s created with Yarnell can continue next season.
Sunday morning, Johnson told Pittsburgh Sports Now that he will be returning to Pitt for the 2024 season. He was one of 11 Panthers who choose not to talk on Senior Night, that had the option of returning for one more season of athletic eligibility.
Johnson finished the 2023 season with 12 receptions for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 8 catches and 91 yards coming in the last 2 games with Yarnell at quarterback. In his first season at Pitt back in 2022, Johnson collected 6 receptions for 89 yards.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Pitt tight end depth chart shakes out this offseason. All Pitt fans will be keeping an eye on what Gavin Bartholomew decides to do, meaning will he stay, transfer or enter the NFL Draft? A big component of that could be the severity of the injury he suffered in the second half of the Syracuse game and how long that will sideline him.
PITT 2023 TIGHT END DEPTH CHART
Gavin Bartholomew (eligible to return)
Malcolm Epps (no eligibility remaining)
Karter Johnson (returning for 2024)
Cole Mitchell (eligible to return)
Jake Renda (eligible to return)
Wow, huge relief
It is amazing (not sure if this is the right word), that he wasn’t used until Yarnell became QB.
Agree, Young. Karter appears to be one of many talented players who were under- or not utilized in the last 2 years. It’s baffling.