PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He may not be under center, but Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will be with his teammates at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Thursday.
Pickett will be on the sidelines with a headset on giving advise to Nick Patti and others. He won't be able to talk directly into the helmet to call plays, but is there for all other help.
"That guy is a Panther forever," said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. "He will be around for as long as he wants to be. I know there's a point where he will get shipped off to play for some NFL team. We hope it's close. We hope it's fitting for him."
No quarterback in Pitt history holds more records than Pickett. Then he had to tell his team, and eventually his coach, that he decided to prepare for the NFL Draft and skip a 14th game with his teammates.
"Kenny came to my office might have been Monday," Narduzzi said. "Sat down for about a half an hour, just had the biggest smile on his face. Hadn't seen him that relieved."
"I think it was a hard decision for him. I think he loves Pittsburgh. I think he wanted to play in the worst way, but it was a business decision. I couldn't be happier for him."
"Like I said, there was a sense of relief, smiles, giggling, which he doesn't do all year. He's not a giggly guy. He is locked in like a coach, it's business."
"Kenny is the heart and soul of this team," said tight end and bowl game captain Lucas Krull. "He is the biggest key to our success, on the field, off the field. What he does for us."
"People don't fully understand. They just see him on a Saturday putting up the amazing numbers and being the amazing leader on the field. You don't see him in this building."
"It's obviously a huge loss for us. At the same time, we knew this would be a possibility because he's the best quarterback in this draft. He has to get ready for the next level. We are super-happy for him."
Often Narduzzi will make emotional or biting comments about players or situations. Given their six-year history, Narduzzi is philosophical about Pickett's decision.
"They know we will miss Kenny, but we will have missed him anyway," Narduzzi said.
"We love him to death," Krull said. "He is going to go out there and be successful for many years to come."
Panthers will try and be as successful without him against Michigan State. Listen to the Peach Bowl on 93.7 The Fan with pregame starting at 4p on December 30.
