Taking Stock of the Pitt Senior Class Ahead of Senior Day vs. Clemson

If the season feels like it’s flown by, you’re likely not alone. There are just three games left in the 2024 season, and that includes one last Pitt home game.

Pitt is hosting No. 20 Clemson at noon on Saturday, and of course, the senior class will be honored just before kickoff.

“I forgot about that,” Pat Narduzzi said Monday at his weekly presser. “I’m glad you brought that up. Senior Day every year matters. I talked to our team last night just about playing for our seniors again, going out there and being — all these seniors.

“All these guys that sit in the front row, love each and every one of them. I don’t care if they’ve been here for just six months, three months. You build a relationship with these guys every day, see them every morning, good morning every morning.”

It’s a senior class that has a variety of players. Some have spent six years in Pittsburgh, some have won an ACC championship together, some arrived in the spring and a little bit of everything in between.

It’s a senior class that started the season 7-0 for the first time since 1981, and while the last two losses have been disappointing, Narduzzi appreciates the relationships he’s built with each and every member.

“The relationship we’ve got with our players is primary,” Narduzzi said. “I want to see them all go out on top, number one. We’ll have a nice senior evening Friday night before the game and have all the parents in there. So it’s a special night, it’s a special day.

“I can’t say enough about these seniors and their leadership and just need to finish the season strong, need their leadership.”

Daniel Carter, Nate Temple, Brandon George, Josh McCarty, Keye Thompson, Jason Collier Jr., Anthony Johnson and Ryan Jacoby are the sixth-year seniors who are out of eligibility — outside of maybe Temple, who could appeal for a medical redshirt.

Donovan McMillon, P.J. O’Brien, Rodney Hammond Jr. (who has only played four games this season), Konata Mumpfield and Nate Matlack are seniors who don’t have a COVID season available.

The majority of the redshirt seniors have decisions to make when it comes to returning to the college level (whether that’s Pitt or elsewhere) or deciding to move on.

And as a reminder, just because a player decides to walk, or vice versa, doesn’t mean a decision has been made. And just because a player can return next season doesn’t mean he will either.

Pitt Seniors 

RB Daniel Carter — can’t return

RB Rodney Hammond Jr. — can return (if redshirting)

WR Konata Mumpfield — can’t return

WR Jake McConnachie — can return

TE Gavin Bartholomew — can’t return

TE Jake Overman — can return

OL Branson Taylor — can return (likely leaving for the NFL)

OL Ryan Jacoby — can’t return

OL Jason Collier Jr. — can’t return

DT Anthony Johnson — can’t return

DE Nate Matlack — can’t return

DE Nate Temple — can return (with a medical redshirt)

LB Keye Thompson — can’t return

LB Brandon George — can’t return

CB Tamon Lynum — can return

CB Rashad Battle — can return

S P.J. O’Brien — can’t return

S Josh McCarty — can’t return

S Donovan McMillon — can’t return

K Ben Sauls — can return