PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) – Pitt football did something this year it hasn’t done in the last three decades.
By winning the Sun Bowl over UCLA, Pitt moved back into the Top 25 meaning it is ranked in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1982-83. Panthers 22nd in the final Associated Press Poll after finishing 13th last year.
The Panthers expect to return 18 starters from the Sun bowl game, eight on both sides and one of the heroes from that game, kicker Ben Sauls.
Another transfer
Once again, the Panthers hit a big name in the transfer portal and again it’s a player returning home. Last month former Pine-Richland quarterback Phil Jurkovec announced he will play his final season at Pitt after time with Boston College and Notre Dame. Now it’s a Gateway product coming back.
LSU running back and safety Derrick Davis, Jr. said on Twitter he will play with the Panthers next season. He’s listed officially as an athlete as Davis will go through Spring drills and see where he fits. He was considered the number one high school safety out of Gateway High School in 2021 and 51st player overall by 247 Sports. He committed to the Tigers with other offers from Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, UCS and more.
Davis played two games his freshman year and five games last season. First year Tigers head coach Brian Kelly was converting him to running back. He carried it 11 times for 57 yards and a touchdown in 2022.
Earlier, Peters Township native and safety Donovan McMillon said he was transferring back home after playing in 25 games in two years at the University of Florida. The 6’1”, sophomore was the number 11 safety out of high school turning down offers from Georgia, LSU, Miami and others.