Two Pitt Panthers Added to National Award Watchlists

A couple of Pitt Panthers have been named to prestigious national award watchlists.

Kenny Johnson has been named to the Paul Hornung Award watchlist, which is given annually to the most versatile player in college football. Brandon George is a nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is presented to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

It’s the second time in two days that Pitt players have been named to national award watchlists, joining Donovan McMillon.

Watch List 🏆 Paul Hornung Award@Kennyjohnson05 🤝 @hornungaward

Kenny Johnson is a 2024 preseason candidate for the most versatile player in college football!#H2P » https://t.co/XHJ8olkiRd pic.twitter.com/nSuk55lyYa

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) August 1, 2024

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. He’s in line for a breakout sophomore season.

Watch List 🏆 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy @B_George06 🤝 @WuerffelTrophy

Brandon George is a 2024 preseason candidate for the premier award for community service in college football!#H2P » https://t.co/XHJ8olkiRd pic.twitter.com/Motflhjrvv

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) August 1, 2024

George has played in 51 games during his time at Pitt. If you take out the 2022 season, in which he only played three games, he’s been a mainstay in the lineup. Every game in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He missed the first two games of his true freshman season in 2019 and then dressed for the final 11. He’s been a constant.

In a backup role for Pitt last season, playing in all 12 games, he racked up 49 tackles (24 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in 296 defensive snaps — rated as a top Pitt defender. And he has recorded 112 tackles (60 solo), 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and two pass breakups in his Pitt career.

The Pitt coaching staff remained on George once he hit the portal, Manalac especially (calling pretty much every day just to check in and see where George’s head was), and he felt the love. It’s why he decided to return for his final season with the Panthers.