Pitt Football: 3 Early Breakout Candidates for 2022

Pitt football’s entire 2021 squad was a breakout candidate, and most of the team is back for 2022. Yet, the Panthers still have positions to fill for an encore performance.

Coming into 2021, Pitt football had serious issues plaguing the program. The Panthers were playing catch-up with Miami and North Carolina, and the problem looked to be chronic. Pat Narduzzi was stringing together mediocrity year after year. Then again, the roster wasn’t doing him any favors.

But, a funny thing happened. The Panthers started winning and winning against the best in the ACC. Beating Clemson, along with outdueling North Carolina, gave Pitt something to hope for. That hope became an ACC title and a New Year’s Six bowl, which would have been nigh unthinkable months ago.

Kenny Pickett’s rise from mediocrity to Heisman contender was a huge part of that. His mobility was always good, but he fixed his accuracy issues and threw for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns.

There were other big breakout stars, too. Jordan Addison was a good receiver, but in 2021, he became one of the very best in the country. On defense, several players stepped up to become a unit that could get stops at critical moments.

2022 sees most of these players back. But, Pickett is gone, and contributors like tight end Lucas Krull and cornerback Damarri Mathis have also departed. In those three positions, there’s a need for big steps forward. These are the players who will step in and fill those roles.