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Pitt football: 3 all-American candidates for 2022

By Kathryn Rose

Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (87) sacks North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (87) sacks North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers assistant head coach Charlie Partridge (right) talks with defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) against the New Hampshire Wildcats during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers assistant head coach Charlie Partridge (right) talks with defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) against the New Hampshire Wildcats during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Calijah Kancey – Defensive tackle

Who better to be an all-American than someone who was already an all-American in 2021?

Kancey was a third-team all-American selection last season, as well as first-team all-ACC. He tallied 35 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, as well as seven sacks. Those are defensive end numbers, but he was putting up that statline at defensive tackle.

The Miami, Florida native was even named to a national team of the week once, gaining that honor against UMass.

At 6-foot-0 and weighing 275 pounds, he’s perhaps a bit small for the defensive line. However, SI’s NFL Draft profile lists him as a “gifted and technically advanced athlete” at defensive tackle. Even though they acknowledge he’s undersized, they recognize the obvious to anyone who watches him; he’s got NFL talent.

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With that talent, he’s got the potential to improve on his third-team all-America honor and will be one of the better players in college football in 2022.

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