Pitt's Izzy Abanikanda, John Petrishen named Conway Award winners as most improved players in spring drills

Two players pushing starters for playing time were named the most improved players during Pitt’s spring drills.

Running back Izzy Abanikanda and senior outside linebacker John Petrishen (Lower Burrell/Central Catholic) were chosen on both sides of the ball by coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff. The announcement was made Saturday prior to the Blue Gold game at Heinz Field.

Big day starts well for these two. https://t.co/yyz4xIZzkq

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) April 24, 2021

Abanikanda (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) proved to be worthy of the award, leading all rushers during the game, with six six carries for 77 yrds.

Last year, he flashed speed in the spring drills truncated by the pandemic, but played sparingly as a freshman, carrying 28 times for 95 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass in the Boston College game. His playing time was limited as he learned the demands and nuances of playing running back at the collegiate level.

After Narduzzi all but named Vincent Davis his starting running back at the start of spring drills this year, Abanikanda started catching the coach’s eyes with improved pass blocking and ball-carrying abilities.

“It probably made me more excited to compete,” Abanikanda said of Narduzzi’s proclamation.

Now, there will be intense It probably made me more excited to compete.summer camp competition for Pitt’s starting running back job.

“He almost looks like (former Michigan State and Pittsburgh Steelers running back) Le’Veon Bell, running, the vision and finding holes,” Narduzzi said. “Izzy’s been strong all spring.

“Izzy has taken major strides in becoming a complete back. His ability to run was always apparent. This spring he made excellent progress in his protections and overall assignments. Izzy is really putting it all together and it is exciting to see.”

Petrishen (6-1, 210) transferred from Penn State prior to the 2019 season as a safety and played mainly special teams. He shifted to outside linebacker last year and evolved into the backup to Cam Bright at the star position.

“We’re all really making each other better. It’s really not awkward at all,” Petrishen said after recording six tackles Saturday and sharing the Blue team lead in that category with Bright and safety Buddy Mack.

“Johnny’s development this spring has been really exceptional,” Narduzzi said. “He was obviously new to the linebacker position last season. But this spring the speed of his play and his confidence at the position really caught our eye. Johnny is another strength for that linebacker room.”

The Conway awards have been presented at the end of spring drills since 1975 in honor of the late Ed Conway, who was the radio play-by-play voice of Pitt football from 1970-73.