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 quarterback found his way from USC to Pitt.

“He’s just a super kid,” Narduzzi said on a video submitted to the news media by the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

“He wasn’t looking for a payday. He was looking for the right place to be, with a great culture. He’s a guy who actually went into the (NCAA transfer) portal the real way, the right way.

“He had a lot of opportunities with name, image and likeness, but I think he was looking for the right fit. He was looking for the right personnel. We had a lot returning on offense.”

Narduzzi pointed out during the interview that Pitt lost only two starters on offense from 2021 — Kenny Pickett and Lucas Krull — without mentioning Addison, the Biletnikoff winner and All-American wide receiver who put his name in the portal Tuesday.

“We have two capable quarterbacks in Nick Patti and Kedon Slovis coming back,” he said, adding he also has high hopes for tight end Gavin Bartholomew.

Of Slovis, he said, “He’s a very accurate passer. He’s a guy who can put the ball right where it needs to be.

“I feel even better about where we are defensively. I think we can be back in that ACC championship game again.”

Narduzzi and his golf partner, former Washington, Colorado and UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, finished second Tuesday among 22 former and current college football coaches at the tournament at Reynolds Lake Oconee. He won $20,000 for the Stanley M. Marks Blood Cancer Research Center.

“Whatever Stanley needs. The doctor that really got James Conner back to life,” Narduzzi said.

Cancer research is a cause Narduzzi has supported for many years after his father, Bill, died of Hodgkin lymphoma in 1988.

Narduzzi also was queried on some lighter questions:

• The dinner he would request if he won The Masters: “Manicotti, 14-ounce filet mignon, maybe some Brussels sprouts on the side.”

• His preferred partner for a round of golf: Tiger Woods. “He’s a legend.”

• His choice for a caddy among former Pitt players for his next round of golf: Tyler Boyd.

• Summer vacation spot: The beaches of Rhode Island.

• TV show he’d like to binge watch: “I would say I would binge watch the news to see what’s happening around the world. I wouldn’t know how to turn Netflix on.”