PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As has become tradition, Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi announced his team captains during the Pitt Kickoff Luncheon at the Westin Convention Center on Friday.
Seniors Carter Warren, Deslin Alexandre, Kedon Slovis and junior SirVocea Dennis were chosen by their teammates as the four leaders for this season.
OL-Carter Warren
"It was a blessing to find out my teammates voted me for captain," Warren said. "I was shocked. I was really surprised and really blessed. It means a lot that the guys really believe in me and that I can lead them to a national championship."
"You see his personality," Narduzzi said. "I think he's low-key, he's going to lead by example. You can't be a captain by talking and not doing. He's going to lead those hogs."
DL-Deslin Alexandre-2nd consecutive year
"It means a lot, it's something that is really special to be able to be voted by your teammates," Alexandre said. "It's not something I take lightly. We have the same goals and the same mission and the same drive to continue to repeat last year."
"It's kind of like Kenny did, being a two-time captain," Narduzzi said. "I think anytime you have those seniors come back. To have a two-time captain like that means everything."
QB-Kedon Slovis
"It's a tremendous honor," said Slovis, a first-year transfer from USC. "It's a testament to the guys, to the culture. I was a captain one year at USC, that was a huge goal this year. It's one of the greatest honors you can have. I love those guys."
"The first time we did a tally for captains in January, he had two votes," Narduzzi said. "The numbers just kept growing. I'm happy for him. There is a part of me that doesn't want a quarterback just getting in here being a captain. I don't pick the captains, the players do, and I couldn't be happier for him."
LB-SirVocea Dennis
"SirVocea is in a linebacker room with a lot of younger guys," Alexandre said of Dennis. "He takes that role of showing guys how to do things every day. He's going to be very good for us and a very good leader."
"SirVocea Dennis is important to the entire team," Narduzzi said. "He's one of the most electric players on our team. He loves it, he's a football player. He leads by example, he's got a high motor, he's smart, understands the game. I think he would be a heck of a coach someday. I might hire him if I'm still coaching."
New Kicker
Sam Scarton back after hitting 17 of 21 field goals and 96% of his extra points in 2021 taking over for Alex Kessman last year, has been replaced by left-footed, redshirt sophomore Ben Sauls.
"I trust both of them to kick, but we are going with Ben Sauls because he's been the most consistent," Narduzzi said. "I think he's hit 82% of his field goals this year (in camp and practice). He's won that award, he's been the most consistent from the left hash to the right hash."
Walk-on scholarship
Pitt awarded Central Catholic graduate and redshirt junior receiver Gavin Thomson a scholarship and Panthers legend Dan Marino helped break the news.
Narduzzi as captain
Narduzzi shared a story when he was captain playing for Rhode Island when he told his head coach, Bob Griffin, that he saw the players out drinking the Thursday before a Saturday game. The coach got up in a team meeting and told the starting offense and defense to stand up, for those out drinking sit down. He had the back-ups stand up and they got to start that game.
Narduzzi said part of leading is holding your teammates accountable.
