Pitt Football Has Recent Success With Florida Gator Transfers

While Pitt football targets portal transfers from around the country, one program in particular has provided more for the Panthers than others.

The Florida Gators have seen four players transfer from their program and land at Pitt in the past six years, and each of them became important pieces for the Panthers.

Over the weekend, Pitt added a fifth transfer from Florida in wide receiver Andy Jean.

Jean — a 6-foot-1, 184-pounder out of Miami, Fla. — appeared in five games in two years with the Gators as he pulled in six receptions for 97 yards.

First look at ANDY JEAN. 👀⭐️ @1typeandy

The Miami Northwestern alum had 2 touches for 57 yards — 1 catch, 1 run

Just the start. pic.twitter.com/RkgrmvKIwd

— 305 Sports (@305Sportss) September 24, 2023

Despite not seeing a lot of action in the SEC, Jean still has promising upside with three years of eligibility remaining. Out of Miami Northwestern High School, Jean was a four-star recruit, according to Rivals and On3, and owned a loaded top five list of Florida, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Texas A&M and Alabama.

Jean will look to make an impact in a receiving room that boasts Kenny Johnson, Raphael Williams, Censere Lee, Tyreek Robinson, Florida State transfer Deuce Spann and others.

If history holds true, Jean could follow in the footsteps of former Florida transfers that performed well at Pitt.

Kylan Johnson (2019)

Out of those that came to Pitt from the University of Florida, Johnson had the best resume from his time with the Gators. The linebacker appeared in 33 games between 2015-2018.

As a redshirt junior, he played in all 13 games, while starting two. He notched 27 total tackles and two passes defended. While he missed time with an injury the previous season, it came after his best year as a redshirt freshman. He tallied 39 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.

Upon joining Pitt as a grad transfer, Johnson made an immediate impact for the Panthers’ defense that finished second in the nation with 51 sacks. He started all 13 games as he recorded 54 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the way to earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors.

Kylan Johnson vs. UCF (28) September 21, 2019 — David Hague/PSN

Johnson’s speed was evident for the Panthers in his ability to get into the backfield, including two tackles for loss in an upset win at Acrisure Stadium over No. 15 UCF.

Lucas Krull (2020-21)

Pitt spent several years looking to replace the production of tight end Scott Orndoff  after a 2016 season in which he had 579 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

The Panthers landed Krull, who played in 25 games over the previous two seasons at Florida, hauling in nine passes for 108 yards.

It took a year for Krull’s impact to be felt after he played in only one game in 2020 due to injury.

Once healthy, Krull became a key red zone target for quarterback Kenny Pickett as the Panthers went on to win the ACC Championship in 2021.

Lucas Krull (7) celebrates after winning ACC Championship – December 4, 2021 David Hague/PSN

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Krull earned Second Team All-ACC honors after compiling 38 receptions for 451 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games. The six touchdowns were the most by a Pitt tight end since Dorin Dickerson caught 10 in 2009.

Krull has continued his career in the National Football League after going undrafted in 2022. After a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints, Krull has spent the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos. This season, Krull has appeared in 13 games, catching 19 passes for 152 yards.

Donovan McMillon (2023-24)

McMillon — a local WPIAL product out of Peters Township High School in McMurray, Pa. — is on a path towards the NFL after two seasons with Pitt.

While Pitt recruited McMillon hard out of high school, the four-star safety took his talents to Florida, where he saw consistent playing time across his first two seasons.

As a true freshman, McMillon played in all 13 games, while totaling 10 tackles. The following year as a reserve safety, he registered 30 tackles and one tackle for loss.

Then, McMillon decided to return home and play for the Panthers as he turned into one of the most reliable safeties and tacklers in recent memory.

During his junior season, McMillon played in all 12 games, starting eight as he earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors. He led the Panthers with 105 tackles, the most by a Pitt defended since Jordan Whitehead recorded 109 in 2015. He added one forced fumble and one pass break-up.

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Donovan McMillon (3) December 26, 2024 David Hague/PSN

This past fall, McMillon put together another impressive campaign leading the Panthers with 115 total tackles, along with a tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one interception and eight pass break-ups. He would be named Second Team All-ACC.

Daejon Reynolds (2023-24)

In a similar manner, Reynolds joined the Panthers in 2023 after starting his career with the Gators.

Reynolds played in nine games at Florida, recording 12 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns.

He became another viable receiving option for the Panthers in 2023 as he appeared in 12 games, starting seven. He hauled in 28 catches for 316 yards.

While Reynolds has since departed from the Pitt program after two years, he will certainly be remembered by his only touchdown reception of his Pitt career that came in clutch against West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. With great concentration, Reynolds pulled in a 40-yard pass from quarterback Eli Holstein late in the fourth quarter as the Panthers came back to defeat the Mountaineers, 38-34.

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Daejon Reynolds (3) September 14, 2024. Michael Longo/PSN

Reynolds totaled 15 receptions for 189 yards and the touchdown grab during his redshirt junior season at Pitt.