Updating the Pittsburgh Panthers All-Time Football Team

Greetings everyone. Back in 2011, I did an internet search to find what was the most recent listing for the players named to Pitt's all-time football team. There simply wasn't one. The most recent article was done back in the '70s, and I wrote one for BleacherReport.com. In 2018, revisions needed to be made and now once again an updated version was needed as a new player has earned his way to Pitt's all-time football team.

Presenting Pitt football's all-time team:

https://johnbaranowski.wordpress.co...e-pittsburgh-panthers-all-time-football-team/

 

Great job John. Loved every choice and the story as a whole. Had season tickets in 1963 and 1964 with my Dad on the horrid bleachers of Pitt Stadium. LOL. Been a homer ever since although I've been in CA since 1965.

 

Thank you. That '63 team was one of the best teams ever (not on NCAA penalty) to not play in a bowl. That has to be some good memories for you. Bleachers were every where back then, no escaping them.

 

A few additional comments - if single season breakouts deserve awards then certainly the tandem of Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall deserve honors for their remarkable 2018 season where Ollison gained 1213 yds (6.25 ypc) and Hall gained 1144 yds (7.40 ypc). That OL had to be solid as well. Unfortunately Narducci was still the starting QB and the overall record was not outstanding. Also, we can't forget the absolutely amazing season Jordan Addison just had in 2021 as described below. Not sure how long he'll stick award the college circuit (needs to add some poundage) plus he won't have Kenny P tossing him the rock. So whether he'll be able to surpass Bryant or Fitzgerald in Pitt all time receiving records - time will tell.

Addison 2021 HONORS & AWARDS:
Achieved one of the most decorated sophomore seasons in Pitt football history…winner of the prestigious Biletnikoff Award as college football’s outstanding receiver…is Pitt’s third winner of the Biletnikoff, joining Antonio Bryant (2000) and Larry Fitzgerald (2003)…Addison earned consensus All-America status, the first sophomore to achieve that stature since Fitzgerald (2003)…named a first team All-American by four of the NCAA-recognized five selectors: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News and Walter Camp…a second-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)…first team All-ACC as a receiver and third team All-ACC in the all-purpose category.

Addison 2021 STATISTICS:
Addison compiled 1,593 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on a Pitt-record 100 receptions (15.9 avg.) in 14 contests…scored 18 total TDs (one by rush)…his receiving yardage and touchdown catches rank second in Pitt season annals, trailing only Larry Fitzgerald (1,672 yards and 22 TDs in 2003)…led the nation in touchdown catches (tied with Western Kentucky’s Jerreth Sterns)…ranked fourth nationally in total receiving yards…totaled eight 100-yard receiving games on the season, second at Pitt only to Fitzgerald’s 10 in 2003…Addison led the Panthers with 1,834 all-purpose yards…netted 56 yards and a touchdown on seven rushes (8.0 avg.) on the year…began returning punts in the latter portion of the season and averaged an impressive 15.4 yards on 12 returns (185 total yards).

 

Agree on Addison. Addison should surpass Bryant's Pitt's receiving numbers this season. He's within 600 yards of Bryant and needs six touchdowns to surpass Bryant's 26 touchdown receptions.

I also agree that having two 1,000-yard backs in the same season is rare. Actually, Pickett was the QB that year.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/pittsburgh/2018.html

Ollison was an enigma rushing for 1,121 yards his freshman season and it appeared that he was going to be a bonafide superstar. Conner's return the following season understandably reduced Ollison's number of carries and Ollison's junior season was disappointing with so few carries. A case of being in Narduzzi's doghouse? As a senior, he returned to his freshman form and rushed for 1,213 yards.

 

Thanks for the Pickett correction, I just assumed Narducci still held the reigns since he was on the roster. And neither Ollison nor Hall amounted to much once in the NFL unlike so many of Pitts very good RBs preceding them. Other than Marino - Pitt has been the king of backup QBs in the NFL.

 

Although backup QB U isn't such a terrible thing. At least they've made it to the NFL and on a roster.