Pitt is looking for strong offensive line play in the 2024 season, so who better to serve as the first honorary captain of the season than Jason Pinkston?
Pinkston — who starred at Baldwin High in the early 2000s before spending four seasons at Pitt — is serving as the first honorary captain of the season, Pat Narduzzi announced via X (formerly known as Twitter).
Narduzzi ran down Pinkston’s accomplishments in his announcement:
- 2010 team captain
- 4-year letterman
- three bowl appearances (Sun, Meineke Car Care, BBVA Compass)
- two-time All-Big East (2009, 2010)
- NFL career
Pinkston was a dominant offensive lineman during his time at Pitt, emerging as one of the best linemen in the country in 2009 and 2010. He was named All-Big East and All-American in 2009 and entered the 2010 season as one of the top offensive linemen in the draft.
He turned another strong season into a fifth round selection by the Cleveland Browns (150th overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Pinkston started every game of his rookie season with the Browns at guard, and he entered the 2012 season as a starting guard once again. But an injury during the season revealed a blood clot in his lungs that ended his professional career early.
He’s coached at the high school level since retiring from the NFL, but as of his X account, Pinkston currently serves as the President and CEO of Southpointe Construction Services.
Pinkston is the first of the Pitt honorary captains this season, but he certainly won’t be the last former Panther to serve in a pre-snap capacity this season.
Pitt and Kent State will kick off at noon at Acrisure Stadium, and for those who will not be in attendance, ESPNU will broadcast the non-conference matchup while the Pitt Panthers Radio Network will provide the radio broadcast.
