Once a Panther, always a Panther.
Any college always has a camaraderie and that was evident with Bengals WR and Pittsburgh alum Tyler Boyd. Boyd took to Instagram to share a photo of a signed jersey he is sending to Pittsburgh QB, Heisman finalist and eventual 2022 NFL Draft pick Kenny Pickett.
“Stay healthy and win out.” “Heisman in my eyes.” “Keep being great, bro. I love watching you ball. You’re a very special player and an even better guy off the field. Keep being the leader that you are.” That’s what Boyd wrote to Pickett on the jersey.
Pickett is coming off a tremendous season for the Panthers. He threw for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns with just seven interceptions while also adding 241 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He led Pitt to an 11-2 record and the school’s first ACC championship after defeating Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game. It was Pitt’s first conference title since sharing the Big East title in 2010 with Connecticut and West Virginia.
Pickett finished third in Heisman voting and also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation’s top senior/fourth-year junior quarterback). He leaves as the all-time leading passer in Pittsburgh history (12,303) as well as the all-time leader in pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), touchdowns responsible for (102) and passing touchdowns (82).
Pickett declared for the NFL Draft and will skip Pitt’s bowl game. The Panthers take on Michigan State in the Peach Bowl. The Spartans also have a top prospect that just declared and will not play in the game, RB Kenneth Walker III.
Pickett is a potential first-round pick in April’s draft. Obviously there is no chance Pickett and Boyd will team up, but they will always have their Panther pride to share.
