The offensive coordinator hire was expected to have an impact on what a couple of Pitt players would decide upon doing next season, and it appears that Kenny Johnson is satisfied.
Johnson — a sophomore wideout from York, Pa. — announced via Alliance 412 that he will be returning to Pittsburgh in 2024 — a major win securing the present and future of the Pitt wide receiving corps.
Johnson would’ve had a robust transfer portal following after a strong true freshman campaign in 2023.
Gavin Bartholomew, Rodney Hamond Jr., Dayon Hayes, Branson Taylor, Ryan Baer and Solomon DeShields have also announced that they will be returning to Pitt for another season.
Johnson is coming off an All-ACC season as a kick returner, but his impact was felt across the field at times last season.
He carried the ball 10 times for 72 yards, caught 15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown and returned 15 kickoffs for 347 yards (23.1 yards per return) and a touchdown — a 100-yard return against North Carolina.
After a slow start to the season, Johnson broke out in the North Carolina loss and began regularly earning double-digit snaps as a wideout — even starting a couple of contests. He received 222 snaps last season and that number should rise exponentially in 2024.
Johnson was the breakout star at summer camp, after arriving in May, and without a full offseason under his belt and a more prominent role in the offense now led by new offensive coordinator Kade Bell, Johnson is in line for an impactful season.
Bub Means is gone (which opens the door for Johnson as the lead X wideout), but it appears that Underwood is again looking to add to the room if possible.
Pitt has lost Means and Addison Copeland III, who decided to enter the transfer portal himself, and there’s a slim group of proven returners in 2024. Konata Mumpfield and Daejon Reynolds have starting experience, Johnson showed extreme promise as a true freshman and that’s the extent of proven talent.
Izzy Polk caught a few balls as a true freshman, and Zion Fowler-El and Lamar Seymore have received a ton of hype since arriving. Jake McConnachie and Che Nwabuko are also in the mix.
Underwood has extended offers to a number of wide receivers already in the transfer portal, too.
Wasn’t aware that he was contemplating transferring, as no article was written about him possibly leaving. Which would’ve been a major blow to the offense.
I think it was just “general” worry that he and others would take off given the poor season, future uncertainty, etc.
Both NIL Money plus Opportunity to develop and get to the NFL are factors.