PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The national media now jumping on the Kenny Pickett Heisman candidacy. More and more people are finding out about the Pitt senior quarterback from New Jersey.
Pitt assistant coach Tim Salem says he thought from when Pickett was just learning how to drive a car that he would be something special.
“There is no question,” Salem said. “I knew that when I had a chance to watch him when he was this tall (raising his hand to around 5’). Since he was a little kid.”
Salem said he has so many of the mannerisms to play not only the position, but to play football. He also studies, takes every note imaginable and dedicates it to memory. The veteran coach said Pickett did it on his first day on campus and continues even now.
“Kenny sees things in slow motion, has great poise,” Salem said. “Every play, every day, every second is important to him. Kenny plays. He likes to play. He likes to compete. That’s who he is.”
Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates has faced him now for his whole career. Every day in practice. He not only was sure Pickett could have a season like this, it’s been so good Bates doubted his own abilities.
“I wasn’t sure how good we were going to be on defense because we couldn’t stop him,” Bates said. “Ultimately, I’m glad we are better and he’s as good as he is.”
“I think he makes tremendous decisions. He’s able to run when he needs to. I think there are other times where he’s smart enough not to take a hit.”
“Throwing the ball to where it needs to go. There’s been some throws and you see it upstairs in the press box. That were perfectly thrown, there is no one who could catch it but our receivers.”
“We noticed it since camp,” said Pitt defensive back and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist Brandon Hill. “He came in with this mindset. He’s always been a great leader. He controls the offense and moved the ball really well.”
“Going against him every day makes the defense better because that is what we are going to see on Saturdays and for some people on Sundays.”
Salem was an assistant for Pickett’s first college start, when he engineered a home win against unbeaten and second ranked Miami. Salem said he nearly beat the Hurricanes by himself as a freshman. He believes that game really set the stage for where he is now.
“When the game is on the line, he wants the ball in his hands,” Salem said. “He loves those moments. If he could, he could call a quarterback run every play and try and run people over.
“I think the game is played very slow to him. As everything is speeding up (around him) and clock ticking and crowd, Kenny is (calm).”
“Glad Kenny is on our team.”
Random Quote of the Day
Salem discussing his depth, especially at the tailback position.
“When you put in that little number 9 (Rodney Hammond, Jr.),” Salem said. “That guy is the size of a damn Mountain Dew can. Let him run the ball up there. He’s not very big, just watch him play.”