Pitt is inching closer and closer to the 85 scholarship limit with a couple more portal entrances Monday afternoon.
Israel Polk — a 6-foot-1, 175-pound redshirt freshman wide receiver from Richmond, Calif. — is one of those portal entrants, officially hitting the portal Monday.
Polk arrived as an early enrollee last winter and quickly earned praise as he adapted to the college game. He was one of the freshman wideouts to receive a solid amount of snaps in his first collegiate season.
Polk played in four games last season (a handful of snaps against Wofford, Cincinnati and Boston College before taking 20 snaps in the season finale against Duke) and recorded his first collegiate reception against Duke.
He was one of the four freshman receivers in the class of 2023 who were hyped relentlessly throughout the spring and summer, and while his exit may not be too surprising, he was once looked at as a potential playmaker in the system.
Pitt entered the spring with a pretty full receivers room, but it’s clear from the early portal interest (even before Polk hit the portal) that the coaching staff is still looking to tweak the room.
Konata Mumpfield, Kenny Johnson and Daejon Reynolds are locked in as the starting unit at this point of the spring, and Poppi Williams, Censere Lee, Lamar Seymore and Zion Fowler-El are in the mix for increased snaps with the up-tempo offensive scheme.
Polk figured to be in the mix for a decent role in the offense, but it’s likely he was lost in a crowded room. Pitt will very likely add to the room this spring.
Polk and tight end Cole Mitchell are the two Panthers who entered the transfer portal Monday.
Send Dizzy to the portal !!!!
I feel like I’m watching a quantum leap episode! (Scott Bakula version) When does this portal close?!?
I hope this new offense is effective in the recruitment of future, talented receivers. Fortunately, all of our better, current receivers are still here.