Pitt signs Akron transfer Konata Mumpfield to bolster wide receiver position

A look at Pitt’s 2021 roster reveals a troubling fact that didn’t escape coach Pat Narduzzi’s eye:

Pitt loses wide receivers Taysir Mack, Shocky Jacques-Louis, Melquise Stovall and Tre Tipton for the 2022 season. Mack, Stovall and Tipton exhausted their eligibility; Jacques-Louis announced Friday his intention to transfer.

In response, Narduzzi acted swiftly to fill the void, recruiting and finally signing Sunday former Akron wide receiver Konata Mumpfield from the NCAA transfer portal.

I can’t do nothing but give glory to my lord and savior????????.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,⁰and do not lean on your own understanding.⁰In all your ways acknowledge him,⁰and he will make straight your paths.”⁰-Proverbs 3:5-6 #H2P pic.twitter.com/ooCoUg34jw

— Konata B Mumpfield (@konata_b) January 2, 2022

Mumpfield, a Freshman All-American in 2021, represents Pitt’s second transfer signing since the loss to Michigan State on Thursday night in the Peach Bowl. Safety Michael Dowell was signed from Michigan State on Friday.

Mumpfield was a productive freshman performer for Akron (2-10, 1-7) in the Mid-American Conference in 2021, recording 63 receptions for 751 yards and eight touchdowns. In a five-game midseason stretch, he caught 35 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns. He reached triple-digit yardage totals (106, 109 and 122) against Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio) and Western Michigan. Before that, he caught seven for 67 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State.

Despite the departures, plus the loss of quarterback Kenny Pickett, Pitt has reason to be optimistic about its passing game.

Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison, junior Jared Wayne, sophomore Jaylon Barden and freshman Jaden Bradley are set to return. Addison and Wayne combined for 139 catches, 2,133 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Barden missed the final six games with an injury, but he scored on two of his nine receptions. Bradley caught nine passes for 129 yards in his first collegiate season.

The next question will be how the quarterback depth chart will shape up when spring drills open in about two months. Former USC quarterback Kedon Slovis recently enrolled after throwing for 7,576 yards and 58 touchdowns the past three seasons. Meanwhile, Nick Patti is recovering from surgery to repair a broken collarbone suffered in the Peach Bowl. Davis Beville, who replaced Patti in the bowl game, Joey Yellen and Nate Yarnell also are on the roster.

In the next few weeks, Narduzzi will hire an offensive coordinator to replace Mark Whipple, who left for Nebraska, and a wide receivers coach after Brennan Marion was hired by Texas.