Former Pitt K Signing With New Professional Football Team

Former Pitt kicker Chris Blewitt, who is best known for knocking off No. 2 Clemson in Death Valley during the 2016 season, is signing with a new team at the professional ranks.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL) were signing Blewitt.

With Michigan needing to replace kicker Jake Bates, Blewitt will battle with B.T. Potter for the starting job. Blewitt has an advantage with his strong leg, hitting on seven attempts from beyond 50 yards.

Blewitt, 29, has had some recent success in the spring football leagues. He joined the Pittsburgh Maulers in 2023. In his first game, Blewitt made history with five field goals, tying the record for most field-goal makes in one game in USFL history. His kicks came at 46, 50, 24, 34 and 35, which earned his USFL Special Teams Player of the Week.

Chris Blewitt ties a USFL record with his 5th FG of the game! 🙌

🎥: @nbc | @peacock pic.twitter.com/dCX6HgmbzR

— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) April 30, 2023

Following the season, the Maulers dissolved with the USFL and XFL merger to make the UFL. Blewitt was then selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2024 UFL dispersal draft. He would be placed on injured reserve for over a month before returning for the Stallions playoff push. On the season, he made 11-of-12 field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards in the UFL Championship against the San Antonio Brahmas as the Stallions claimed the inaugural UFL title.

It took a few years for Blewitt, a 2016 Pitt graduate, to reach the professional ranks after going undrafted out of college. His first contract came with the Chicago Bears in March of 2019, but was waived three months later.

Two years later in 2021, Blewitt signed with the Washington Commanders and was promoted to their active roster. The stint was brief, however, as he appeared in two games, going 2-of-5 on field goals with three of his kicks blocked, leading to him getting cut.

He made one more stop in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2021 before the organization cut him in May of 2022.

Blewitt, a native of Alexandria, Va., spent four seasons at Pitt, winning the placekicking role as a freshman in 2013. His most notable kick came against Clemson in 2016 in the dying minutes as the 31-yarder upset the No. 2 team in the country and eventual national champions, 43-42.

Across his 52-game Pitt career, Blewitt made 55-of-79 field goals (69.62%) with his longest coming on 56 yards in 2015.