With the contact signed and filed, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi filled the last vacancy on his coaching staff Saturday, officially naming former NFL player Tiquan Underwood as the Panthers’ wide receivers coach — with a twist.

Underwood also will carry the title of pass game coordinator.

The hiring of Underwood was reported by several outlets last week.

Underwood, who played wide receiver for five seasons in the NFL after earning first-team All-Big East honors at Rutgers in 2007, coached the position at his alma mater the past two seasons.

With the additions of Underwood and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. from Boston College, Narduzzi hired two assistants this offseason from Power 5 schools.

WR Coach/Pass Game Coordinator ????

The NFL veteran and rising star coach has joined the ACC champions! ????#H2P » https://t.co/Em3Eu2D14s pic.twitter.com/NXa7DuCKmo

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) February 5, 2022

As a player at Rutgers, he caught 65 passes for 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007. That season, he averaged 22.8 yards per catch (five for 114) in a 30-27 upset of No. 2 South Florida — the highest-rated opponent Rutgers defeated in its history. A four-year letterman, he totaled 132 receptions for 1,931 yards and 16 touchdowns, including a single-game school record of 248 yards against Buffalo in ‘07.

During his time at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights played in four bowl games — winning three — and helped the team to a No. 12 national ranking and an 11-2 record.

He was drafted in the seventh round in 2009 by the Jacksonville Jaguars (253rd overall). He also played for the New England Patriots and Tampa Buccaneers before spending three seasons in the Canadian Football League.

“Tiquan is a tremendous addition to our program,” Narduzzi said in a statement. “First and foremost, he is just an outstanding person. Our staff really enjoyed getting to know him during the interview process and it was obvious he’ll be a great fit.

“Tiquan is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable coach who will help elevate everything we are looking to accomplish offensively. He’ll make an immediate connection with our players and help them be better on and off the field.”

“Pitt is a special place with a great tradition,” Underwood said. “I look forward to helping this program pursue another ACC championship and national title while working with our tremendous student-athletes, coaches and staff. I can’t wait to get started and help build on the solid foundation that is already established here at Pitt.”

When he joined Rutgers coach Greg Schiano’s staff in 2020, Underwood went on to help Scarlet Knights wide receiver Bo Melton achieve the highest production of his career, with 102 receptions for 1,256 yards and 11 total touchdowns over the 2020-21 seasons. Melton will conclude a week of work Saturday at the Senior Bowl as he prepares for the NFL Draft.

Underwood, 34, also served as a quality control assistant with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and wide receivers coach at Lafayette College in 2018.

As a collegian, Underwood was a four-year letterman for the Scarlet Knights and captained the team as a senior. He finished his career ranking among the school’s most prolific receivers of all-time.

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