Steelers GM Kevin Colbert’s revealing take on how NFL ready Kenny Pickett may truly be
As I look ahead to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp this summer, my brain actually goes back to Saint Vincent College in 2010. That’s when we knew Ben Roethlisberger was going to be suspended for at least the first four (and perhaps six) games of the season. So we were all...
Pat Narduzzi: Kedon Slovis transferred to Pitt ‘the real way, the right way’
Pat Narduzzi didn’t mention the big news — Jordan Addison entering his name in the NCAA transfer portal – while speaking this week at the Peach Bowl Challenge, a charity golf event outside Atlanta. But when he was asked about Kedon Slovis, Narduzzi wasn’t shy about discussing how his transfer...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans launch all sorts of opinions on Kenny Pickett, draft strategy, Devin Bush
This week’s “U mad, bro?” has all manner of heated reactions to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Others question the overall draft strategy. There is some push back to a column I wrote about Devin Bush. Plus, we have gratuitous shots at the Pirates … …...
Pitt lands twin Canary Islands big men Guillermo, Jorge Diaz Graham
When Pitt assistant coach Tim O’Toole first saw the Diaz Graham twins — Guillermo and Jorge — play basketball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., he immediately knew how he wanted to recruit them. “He didn’t blink,” IMG post-grad coach Jimmy Carr said. “It wasn’t, ‘Which one should I take?...
Pitt women’s basketball adds Big Ten transfers Channise Lewis, Gabby Hutcherson
While rebuilding his roster after winning only two of 18 ACC games in 2021-22, Pitt women’s basketball coach Lance White has added two transfers from Big Ten programs in the past two days. Maryland transfer guard Channise Lewis is the fourth member of Pitt’s ‘22 signing class. Lewis, who has...
First Call: Kevin Colbert shares background on drafting Kenny Pickett; interesting contract twist for Melvin Ingram
Wednesday’s “First Call” features some background on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Former Steeler Melvin Ingram is part of a little-used contract ploy. Ex-Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon has been a big part of the New York Yankees’ torrid start. We check out the Eastern Conference playoff...
Analysis: With Jordan Addison in the transfer portal, can Pitt still be special?
Jordan Addison’s name appeared in the NCAA transfer portal Tuesday, which likely will end the Pitt career of one of the finest pass catchers in school history — after only two seasons. He has not announced his next school, but Pitt “remains a very viable option,” according to ESPN’s Pete...
Tim Benz: Question the Steelers draft strategy if you like, let’s just debate the right things
For the most part, I liked the Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 draft class and the team’s approach to building it. That’s because while I’m not in the “Kenny Pickett, future Hall of Famer” camp just yet, I do think he’s got the potential to be at least an above-average NFL quarterback....
Madden Monday: Mitch Trubisky ‘should feel hoodwinked’ after signing with Steelers
When it comes to who should start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE feels that the decision is obvious. Who cares if Mason Rudolph has been with the team the longest? Who cares if Mitch Trubisky was signed to be...
Pitt tight end Lucas Krull signs with Saints
Lucas Krull entered Pitt’s Pro Day with something to prove. He did that, but the most important proving ground for Pitt’s former tight end will be in New Orleans. The former Pitt tight end signed a free-agent contract with the Saints after the draft. While scouts from 31 NFL teams...
Pitt long snapper Cal Adomitis signs with Bengals
Former Pitt long snapper Cal Adomitis was recognized as college football’s consensus best at his position, and the Cincinnati Bengals took notice, signing the Central Catholic graduate to a free-agent contract after the draft. Adomitis, who spent the past five seasons as Pitt’s starting long snapper, was so serious about...
Pitt secures verbal commitment from high school quarterback Kenny Minchey
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi likes to add a quarterback to his roster every year, and he received a verbal commitment for the class of 2023 on Saturday when Kenny Minchey announced his plans to enroll next year. CommittedColossians 3:23-24 pic.twitter.com/BRwg7FlfKm— Kenny Minchey (@kenny_minchey) April 30, 2022 Minchey (6-foot-3, 200 pounds)...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: College athletes should do what’s best for themselves
Jordan Addison, the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner as college football’s top wide receiver in 2021, will likely transfer from Pitt to Southern Cal. Addison will be a junior. Pitt supporters are apoplectic, which is their preferred disposition. You’d think they’d be grateful for a chance to martyr themselves. Pitt coach...
Damarri Mathis keeps up Pitt cornerback/safety tradition, goes to Broncos in 4th round
Until Pat Narduzzi started recruiting cornerbacks who could learn to cover wide receivers without safety help, the NFL largely ignored Pitt’s defensive backs. For eight consecutive drafts from 2010-17, no Pitt defensive back heard his name called. Then, the doors leading from Pitt’s workout facility sprung open and six defensive...
Reports: Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison considering transfer from Pitt
Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison, the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner who teamed with Kenny Pickett to give the Panthers one of the top passing games in college football, is considering a move into the NCAA transfer portal, according to multiple national reports. Addison’s name did not appear in the portal...
Tim Benz: We’ve established Kenny Pickett’s ‘high floor,’ how high can his ceiling be?
When it comes to writing a sports column or hosting a sports talk show, there should be no easier topic to formulate a hot take about than the local NFL franchise drafting a first-round quarterback for the first time in 18 years. So, here’s mine as it relates to the...
Pat Narduzzi shares ’emotional’ moment of seeing Kenny Pickett selected by Steelers
Normally unflappable no matter the game’s intensity, Kenny Pickett was on the phone Thursday night, bent over, hiding his face, his emotions now in charge. He had been drafted into the NFL. In the first round. But by whom? Pat Narduzzi, whose own emotions were starting to spill over, looked...
Tim Benz: Let’s not kid ourselves about what the drafting of Kenny Pickett means for Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Congratulations to Mitch Trubisky. His career as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback has ended without any losses, sacks or interceptions. Or any actual starts. Let’s be honest. Kenny Pickett is going to be the new starting quarterback for the Steelers. He will be the successor to Ben Roethlisberger. He has...
Steelers take Pitt quarterback Pickett in 1st round of NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers had their pick of the quarterback litter when it was their turn in the NFL Draft on Thursday night. Or should it be, their Pickett of the litter? The first quarterback off the board was Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, who went to the Steelers with the No. 20...
Pitt women’s basketball signs 6-foot-1 Avery Strickland
Pitt women’s basketball coach Lance White added the second member of his 2022 recruiting class Thursday, signing 6-foot-1 Avery “Ace” Strickland to a national letter of intent. “She is ultra-competitive, has the pedigree of a winner, and is ready to work,” White said Strickland is a two-time all-state choice from...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans’ pre-draft complaints; Pens fans’ pre-playoff concerns; Pitt fans have Kenny Pickett angst
It’s a “Draft Day” edition of “U mad, bro?” So, of course, Steelers fans are a little riled up. Pitt fans are, too, since Kenny Pickett is in play for the hometown NFL team. And Penguins fans are starting to think about the draft as well — before the playoffs...
Pitt women’s lacrosse team defeats Louisville in ACC tournament opener
Pitt isn’t ready to put away its lacrosse sticks. In the first-year program’s debut venture into the ACC Championship, Paulina DiFatta set a tournament record Wednesday with 19 saves to lead the Panthers to 13-10 victory against Louisville at Arlotta Stadium in South Bend, Ind. DiFatta, a second-team All-ACC selection,...
Kenny Pickett leads Pitt hopefuls into 3-day NFL Draft
There were 13 Pitt players who worked out for representatives from 31 NFL teams at Pitt’s Pro Day on March 21. The large number of hopefuls isn’t surprising. Most college players dream of playing in the NFL, and putting on a show for the scouts — and in some cases...
He’s a coach, not an FBI agent, but Pitt swimming’s Chase Kreitler sees common traits
Back in college at Cal State Bakersfield, Chase Kreitler had many conversations with his swim coach, Morgan Bailey. Mainly, they talked strokes and how best to take seconds off Kreitler’s times. You know, swimming basics. Then, Bailey changed professions. All of a sudden, he was working for the FBI in...
Pitt’s new swim coach Chase Kreitler worked with national champions at California, Olympic gold-medal winners
Pitt’s swim program will move in a new direction for the first time in six seasons, with the hiring of Chase Kreitler as its new coach. The university announced Kreitler’s appointment Tuesday morning. He replaces John Hargis, who had served as swim coach since 2016-17. Kreitler was an assistant at...
