Pitt CB Shadarian Harrison Most Improved Honor Stark Contrast from Previous Spring

Cornerback Shadarian “Dripp” Harrison emerged this spring as one of the top risers for Pitt and has the hardware and splash plays to back it up.

Hours after earning the Ed Conway Award for the most improved defensive player during Pitt spring camp, Harrison dove to intercept a lowering side-arm throw from Eli Holstein on just the second play of the Blue-Gold game.

In the third quarter, it was Harrison again in tight coverage that picked off an under-thrown pass from Holstein for his second interception of the day, verifying his camp accolades.

“He has two picks out there,” head coach Pat Narduzzi started after the spring game on Saturday. “The most impressive thing about him is he missed a lot of reps with that injury he had, but the way he fought in the offseason to get better at everything. The guy must’ve been watching tape on his own because he came out in spring ball and just knew what he was doing. The knowledge of going out there and playing that position at corner that he does, he had a heck of a day.

“I know it was an under-thrown ball on the deep ball and Eli didn’t step into that one like he needs to. Again, worried about the pass rush a little bit. It wasn’t a great pass, but it was a great catch by him. We’ve seen DBs not make plays on the ball. Dripp’s got ball skills.

Shadarian Harrison comes up with his first of two interceptions during the Pitt spring game. April 12, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

This spring was a stark contrast for Harrison, a redshirt sophomore, after dealing with a nagging shoulder injury that stemmed from high school.

Harrison joined Pitt in the 2023 recruiting class out of Lakeland High School in Florida. He picked the Panthers over some other noteworthy offers in Tennessee, Miami, Louisville, West Virginia and others.

The 6-1, 190-pound Harrison would redshirt his first year with the program as he rehabilitated his shoulder injury. Once the 2024 spring camp rolled around, Harrison continued to deal with the same lingering issues.

“It definitely was a setback,” Harrison said Saturday. “Mentally draining just trying to get back mentally and physically. It was a pretty tough two years just coming in with all the confidence in the world and it gets shot. This the second spring that I got hurt in at the beginning of it. It was mentally draining. Coming back with a positive attitude. Coach Collins was patient with me throughout the whole process and I’m very appreciative of that going through my process. He was very patient and always kept me uplifted.”

Harrison appeared in eight games last season primarily on special teams and as a reserve corner with five tackles. Despite his limited game experience and reps prior to this past fall, Narduzzi noticed a big change in Harrison’s play this spring.

“So happy for him, but it was really down to his knowledge. It was shocking. We had other guys come back and it’s like Groundhog Day. It’s like they got to start all over again. He picked up like he had a lot of snaps and we know he played well on special teams at the end of the year, but to come out and play defense like he did,” Narduzzi said.

Harrison credits the growth to his time spent in the film room and on the field getting back those lost reps.

“I would say a mixture of both. Just watching film and training. Training hard as possible going 1,000 miles per hour during practice just going fast. Just trying to play with maximum effort each time I go out there because I try to seize every moment, every opportunity,” he said.

Shadarian Harrison during Pitt spring camp. April 10, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

Not everything is perfect for Harrison, but each rep has a purpose and if there’s any confusion, it is right back to studying.

“There’s times when you go out there and I be puzzled at a play and I have to go back to the drawing board and I have to go look at it and see what I did wrong. Going back and looking at the film and seeing what I did wrong definitely helps and going back out there and trying to regurgitate what my coach is telling me to do.”

Wide receiver Kenny Johnson was the offensive recipient of the most improved honor and he can attest from going up against the lengthy corner that Harrison made an impact in spring.

“He made me better,” Johnson said. “That’s how I judge things. With his shoulder and his injuries, he’s coming back. He’s strong. He’s healthy. He’s getting hands on. He’s disruptive. He played great this spring. Can’t wait to see him play in the fall. Me and Dripp came in same time. Seeing the strides that he’s made as a player, the way that he’s developed, the way he’s taking coaching, it’s so impressive.”

With a promising spring, Harrison is in line to grab a spot on the two-deep roster come fall camp.

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