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 Thamel. Addison submitted his paperwork to the Pitt compliance officer before the May 1 deadline.

Pittsburgh WR & Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison has officially entered the portal. In 2021 Addison had 1,593 receiving yds & 17 TDs on a Pitt-record 100 catches in 14 games. Led the Pitt with 1,834 all-purpose yards.@Espn_Jordan@PantherLairhttps://t.co/Qdnh1qbYW5

— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) May 3, 2022

Addison’s departure leaves a void in Pitt’s offense that already was missing Heisman finalist and Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice Kenny Pickett. Addison caught 17 of Pickett’s school-record 42 touchdown passes last season while setting a Pitt standard with 100 receptions for 1,593 yards, second only to Larry Fitzgerald. Addison is an All-American and Biletnikoff winner.

Pickett and Addison formed a special connection — a bond forged by hours of working on their own when no coach was watching — that won’t be easy to duplicate.

With all its apparent name, image and likeness riches, Southern Cal appears to be a possible destination for the one remaining season of Addison’s collegiate career. Addison, who grew up in Frederick, Md., has a relationship with Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams, a Washington, D.C., native. Southern Cal will have plenty of competition from other powerful programs with large NIL resources, and expect Pitt to keep the door open.

Would Addison’s potential return to Pitt create awkwardness in the locker room? Maybe, but Pitt junior linebacker Buddy Mack didn’t seem to think so while responding to a recent question on Twitter.

The same way he walks in any other day .. https://t.co/cEN1HuGDV0

— Buddy Mack???? (@TMack_14) May 1, 2022

Some fans will be angry at Addison; some will understand. Who among them would turn down a high-profile new job that comes with a nice salary? Sadly, that’s how low college football, which used to be an amateur sport, has degenerated. Addison’s entrance into the portal, with his All-American and Biletnikoff treasures, creates the highest-profile case so far of the new NCAA immediate transfer rules.

Addison could change his mind and return to Pitt. But he had plenty of time to do that before he submitted portal paperwork. The 2021 season ended four months ago. Addison didn’t wake up Friday morning, telling himself, “Oh, I think I’ll transfer.” Addison’s offseason has included the departures of his quarterback, wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator.

Even if he played for Pitt this season, he would not have been on the team in 2023.

Two of the best pass catchers in Pitt history — Fitzgerald and Addison — each became such after only two seasons. Football is funny sometimes (especially now).

For the record, cbssports.com’s projection of the ’23 draft lists Addison going to the Steelers at No. 11, the second wide receiver off the board.

Don’t try to rationalize his absence. He’s a special player — a game changer — and Pitt may not be the same team without him.

Yet, Pitt’s passing game can be good — perhaps very good — and the Panthers will be one of the favorites to win the ACC Coastal. But the problem with good is this: It isn’t special, and that’s what wins national championships, which is the next step beyond the ACC.

The young men tasted the ACC championship. From what was said during spring drills, winning the conference title is nice but not enough. This season, they expect more, and Addison leaving won’t change that expectation.

I want every Pitt Fan across America to know this. The team that walks out of that tunnel on September 1st to ThunderStruck will be a team that brings back another ACC Championship and a National Championship. I can promise you that. I want to go down in history. #H2P

— John D Morgan III ™ (@JohnMorgan6__) May 1, 2022

The schedule is difficult, with Power 5 opponents West Virginia and Tennessee to start the season, and road trips to Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia and Miami over the final six games. Pitt is the hunted one now, no longer the hunter.

If Addison never had committed to Pitt two years ago, perhaps there wouldn’t be an ACC championship trophy on display in the South Side headquarters. But there still would be wide receivers Jared Wayne, Konata Mumpfield, Jaylon Barden, Jaden Bradley and Bub Means and tight end Gavin Bartholomew. That’s more than enough to build a productive passing game.

And doesn’t Pat Narduzzi want to run the ball more often this season, anyway?

Other areas of the team also look much stronger than they did when Narduzzi arrived in 2015.

Culture wins. #H2P pic.twitter.com/SBIymDck1n

— Kedon Slovis (@Kedonslovis) May 1, 2022

Assuming no more defections — you never know — the defense returns seven starters. Narduzzi also has quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti, who look more than capable of executing veteran coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr.’s offense.

Five seasoned offensive line starters and three returning running backs with experience should give Pitt a balanced attack that, potentially, can control the clock against difficult opponents with an effective ground game.

From a lens that’s four months removed, the team surely looks talented enough to win at least eight games, but Pitt won 11 in the special season of 2021.

The Panthers can be good, even Top 25 in 2022. But the goal is to be special, win another ACC title and keep going from there.

With Pickett gone, Addison would have made it much easier for Pitt to reach beyond its grasp.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---