PITTSBURGH — The annual Pitt Football Kickoff Luncheon took place at Acrisure Stadium on Friday afternoon, and amid the introduction of the seniors and a rousing speech from former quarterback Tyler Palko, the team captains for the 2024-25 season were revealed.
Pitt voted upon its team captains before the luncheon, via QR Code, the team agreed upon four names.
The team captains this season are:
- tight end Gavin Bartholomew
- wide receiver Konata Mumpfield
- offensive lineman Branson Taylor
- linebacker Brandon George
Gavin Bartholomew — tight end
Bartholomew recorded 18 receptions for 326 yards (18.1 yards per catch) with a touchdown in 2023 on the way to All-ACC honorable mention honors. He had the highest reception percentage (66.7%) and made 3-of-4 contested catches with just a single drop.
In three seasons at Pitt, Bartholomew has recorded 67 receptions for 935 yards (14.0 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns — thriving despite a serious disconnect between Bartholomew and the assortment of quarterbacks throwing the ball his way.
Bartholomew is expected to take a major step forward in his senior season, with the expectation that he will be the first Panthers tight end to be selected in the NFL Draft since Nate Byham and Dorin Dickerson were selected in the sixth and seventh round, respectively, of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Brandon George — linebacker
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 opened up George’s mind to the fact that he — hopefully — made an impact on the Pitt coaching staff and vice versa. So, when he eventually decided that Pitt was where he wanted to be, it was a mutual decision.
Branson Taylor — offensive tackle
After redshirting as a true freshman in 2020, playing just three games, Taylor has played in 24 of 25 possible games over the last two seasons — starting 15 of those games.
Taylor took the most snaps on the Pitt offense last season, racking up 640 snaps spread across left and right tackle. He started the season as the starting right tackle, but when Matt Goncalves went down with a season-ending injury in Week 3, Taylor shifted to the left side.
According to PFF, Taylor allowed 13 pressures, eight hurries and two sacks in 11 games — starting every game but the Notre Dame loss, which he missed due to injury. And Pitt will need him to take another step forward in 2024.
Konata Mumpfield — wide receiver
I don’t know if it’s subpar quarterback play or what, but Mumpfield hasn’t been able to tap into the full potential he’s flashed throughout his career. He’s slim, listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, but he’s always open. And if the spring season is any indication, Mumpfield is primed for a new role in the offense — lining up out wide.
He’s sure-handed (one drop in 74 targets in 2023) and consistently creates separation. It may be a case of simply having a quarterback who can get him the football. I’ve been high on Mumpfield since he arrived in Pittsburgh, and that’s not going to stop now.
Mumpfield caught 44 receptions for 576 yards (13.1 yards per reception) and five touchdowns. In his Pitt career, he’s caught 102 receptions for 1,127 yards (11 yards per) and six touchdowns.
The players chose, so it’s difficult to debate their choices. I was just surprised that Brandon George, who went into the portal, was chosen. And, I was surprised that Nate Yarnell, Donovan McMillian, and Rodney were not chosen.