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Proud ‘Pitt Man’ Gavin Bartholomew Using Senior Bowl to Reach NFL Dream

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Pitt tight end Gavin Bartholomew at the Senior Bowl

A lot has happened since Gavin Bartholomew arrived on campus as a somewhat unknown kid in 2021. If it feels like that was a decade ago, that’s not surprising. If it feels like he’s come and gone in the blink of an eye, that’s actually not surprising either.

Bartholomew — a 6-foot-4, 241-pound tight end from Schuylkill Haven, Pa. — looked like an NFL player he stepped on campus as a big, bearded 18-year-old, which is what caught the attention of Pat Narduzzi on the recruiting trails. But Blue Mountain High isn’t exactly a hotbed, and Bartholomew, a one-time Buffalo commit, wasn’t exactly a can’t-miss prospect.

Still, Narduzzi took a chance on Bartholomew. And while it may not have worked out perfectly, Bartholomew entrenched himself as a fan favorite — and a likely NFL Draft pick.

When Bartholomew weighed his options before the 2024 season, fielding offers from major powers across college football, he stayed true to the Panthers.

“I think it speaks on my character,” Bartholomew told Pittsburgh Sports Now at the Senior Bowl. “I consider myself a true Pitt man; I bleed blue and yellow. I stuck around for my guys and my coaches, they were my only Power Five offer, so it was an easy decision.”

Bartholomew stuck by the Panthers through thick and thin, emerging as a key option on the ACC champion squad as a true freshman and subsequently flying under the radar for three more seasons. Every year was supposed to be the year for Bartholomew, but a true breakout never materialized — and it likely had more to do with the system.

Bartholomew went through his fair share of ups and downs this season, as did the Panthers, but he hauled in 37 receptions for 303 yards (8.2 yards per reception) and four touchdowns in 12 games — serving as a team captain.

In four seasons at Pitt, Bartholomew recorded 104 receptions for 1,238 yards (11.9 yards per reception) and 11 touchdowns — earning back-to-back All-ACC honors despite a serious disconnect between himself and the assortment of quarterbacks throwing the ball his way.

He showed flashes of greatness, and while the consistency never materialized, he’s taken great strides in improving his all-around ability. He isn’t just a yards-after-catch machine, he’s a legitimate in-line blocker now. He’s still that big, athletic target that can leap over defenders, but now he can drive defenders into the turf, too.

He described himself this week in a rather succinct manner.

“I’m a playmaker in space, and when I don’t have the ball, I pride myself in the run game,” Bartholomew said. “I’m a big, physical dude, and I love to finish blocks and execute.”

Yeah, that just about sums up Bartholomew. He’s been able to showcase a little bit of everything this week at the Senior Bowl, the premier All-Star event for NFL hopefuls every offseason. He’s turned heads all week with his tenacity, supplementing an intriguing pass-catching skillset that’s evident on tape.

“It’s been a great week so far, yesterday was a little bit rusty just because it’s been a while but definitely feel like I got a lot better today and still some things to improve on,” Gavin Bartholomew said.

Bartholomew played for three offensive coordinators in four seasons at Pitt, learning a few very different schemes, which didn’t hurt his adaption at the Senior Bowl. But even when things didn’t go his way during the last couple of seasons, when his usage — or lack thereof — confused even the most casual Pitt fans, he remained true. He loves Pitt, loves playing football and loves doing whatever it takes in the pursuit of victory.

“Whether we’re winning or losing, I attack each game the same way,” Gavin Bartholomew said. “And when we get down like that, it’s really the culture and the guys that keep us together.”

Narduzzi has laid the foundation for a strong culture at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, but it’s largely because of players like Bartholomew who embody what it means to be a Panther. It would’ve been easy to complain, to make a scene when he wasn’t featured in the scheme, but he never did.

In fact, he was often the first player in the end zone celebrating with those who did score a touchdown.

He may not have been able to show his true self on the field at Pitt, for whatever reason, but he knows who — and what — he is. He knows he’s an NFL tight end. And the Senior Bowl is the first step this offseason in proving that to NFL teams.

“I consider myself an all-around tight end, whether it’s in the pass game or in the run game,” Gavin Bartholomew said. “I’m gonna execute whatever my job is.”

The Senior Bowl itself, the culmination of the week of practice, is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. It will be broadcast on NFL Network.

Alan Saunders provided reporting from Mobile, Ala.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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