Most Improved: Kenny Johnson, Shadarian Harrison Win Pitt Ed Conway Award

PITTSBURGH — Every spring, Pitt football awards the Ed Conway Award to the most improved player on offense and defense.

For the 2025 spring camp, wide receiver Kenny Johnson is the offensive honoree and cornerback Shadarian Harrison took home the defensive award.

Johnson — a 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior — entered the spring as the top option at receiver and now has some hardware the show for his work during spring.

The York, Pa, native finished last season with 46 receptions for 537 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned 22 kicks for 459 yards (20.9) average.

Pitt WR Kenny Johnson has a big year ahead of him as he projects as the No. 1 receiver in the room. Here he is with a smooth deep route and catch. pic.twitter.com/dcNXk7JLAP

— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) March 27, 2025

“Kenny, he keeps getting better. He knows where to go. He can make plays. He does a great job catching the football. I know Eli trusts him. There’s an element of respect there for both those guys. Kenny’s done a nice job for us,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said in March.

Harrison is the bigger surprise here as he takes home the defensive honor after playing in eight games last season primarily on special teams and as a reserve corner. He totaled five tackles.

The redshirt sophomore has pushed for a spot on the two-deep behind Rashad Battle and Tamon Lynum. Cal U transfer Rashan Murray is also in the mix. Harrison brings some length to the corner position standing at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds.

Pitt cornerback Shadarian Harrison wins the defensive Ed Conway Award. April 3, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

“Shadarian took a huge leap forward this spring, mentally and physically,” Narduzzi said in a press release. “He’s a true student of the game, absorbing all the knowledge he can about cornerback play. In the weight room, he really made impressive gains. The man we like to call ‘Dripp’ took full advantage of every single spring practice repetition and we’re really excited about his potential this fall.”

The Conway Award has been presented since 1975 in honor of the late Ed Conway, who served as the radio play-by-play voice of Pitt football from 1970-73. A popular sports anchor with WTAE-TV, Conway passed away in 1974.

Pitt football’s spring game is set for 1 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium.