Former Pitt Wideout Transfers to the MAC

Pitt and Akron have sort of traded wide receivers in recent seasons, and it continues with Israel Polk.

Polk — a 6-foot-1, 175-pound redshirt freshman wide receiver from Richmond, Calif. — entered the transfer portal in April, following the spring season, and he committed to Akron Wednesday afternoon, he announced on social media.

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Former Pitt wideout Shocky Jacques-Louis transferred to Akron following the 2021 season, racking up 74 receptions for 936 yards in 2022, while former Akron wideout Konata Mumpfield jumped to Pittsburgh ahead of the 2022 season.

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— Israel polk (@israel_polk) May 22, 2024

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 portal interest (even before Polk hit the portal) that the coaching staff was 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 he was lost in a crowded room. He will have a greater path to playing time with the Zips and should prove to be a productive player.