Here's the list of current ACC starting quarterbacks who have appeared in more career games than Pitt's Kenny Pickett:
None.
That's it. That's the list.
Pickett enters his senior season with 30 career appearances, the same number as Clemson junior Trevor Lawrence. Pickett became the Panthers' starter in the final game of the 2017 regular season -- a memorable victory against No. 2 Miami -- and has started all but one game since, missing last season's narrow victory over Delaware while recovering from a shoulder injury.
When it comes to experience at the position, Pickett has that in bunches, but for the Panthers to improve upon an 8-5 record in 2019, his play must improve.
Let's take a close look at Pitt's quarterback position group.
STARTER: PICKETT
There are a lot of positives to Pickett's game. He's gritty with a smooth throwing motion and good velocity, plus he's a strong leader and pretty accurate. According to Pro Football Focus, Pickett (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) posted the 12th-lowest uncatchable pass rate last season in FBS. What's been missing for Pickett is the ability to make big plays in the passing game with consistency. In 26 starts the past two seasons, Pickett has 25 touchdowns. For Pitt to challenge in the ACC Coastal, Pickett needs to shake his game-manager image and make more plays in his second season with pass-happy offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.
Happy birthday KP! No better kid in America. Pitt has been lucky to have you as their QB. Talent, leadership, toughness and ultimate competitor. Will always have your back. Love ya brother. @kennypickett10 pic.twitter.com/eS4o4CJzd5
— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) June 6, 2020
BACKUPS: NICK PATTI, DAVIS BEVILLE
A redshirt sophomore, Patti (6-3, 215) appeared in four games last season with the bulk of his work coming in a start against Delaware. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Blue Hens. A three-star recruit by Rivals coming out of high school in New Jersey, Patti isn't as mobile as Pickett, but his play in a relief role against Central Florida proved he can make plays running the ball.
Beville (6-5, 220) is a four-star prospect according to rivals.com who primarily was used last season by the scout team. One thing Beville hadn't done before arriving at Pitt was taking a snap from under center, but the rangy quarterback is athletic for his size and could push to be Pitt's primary backup.
WILD CARD: JOEY YELLEN
Yellen transferred from Arizona State to Pitt in January and applied for an NCAA transfer waiver in hopes of being eligible this season. If the waiver is granted, Yellen will compete for the backup job. Some believe he could push Pickett for playing time, though Pickett would have to struggle for the coaching staff to make such a decision. Yellen was a four-star recruit when he signed with Arizona State and rated the No. 9 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2019.
KOVAK'S VIEW
Pitt has reached double digits in wins once (10-3 in 2009) since 1981, and the biggest reason why is quarterback play. From John Congemi to Pete Gonzalez to Pat Bostick, the Panthers have put together a near 40-year string of solid-but-rarely-spectacular players at the position.
It's mind-boggling given the amount of high-end NFL talent the Panthers have generated.
There were heralded recruits -- Tyler Palko comes to mind -- who offered brilliant flashes (such his five-touchdown game in 2004 at Notre Dame) but were dogged by accuracy issues, average receivers, unusual play-calling (the Palko slide at UConn) or all three. Others -- Alex Van Pelt and Rod Rutherford are examples -- put up good numbers put never had the zip Marino put on the ball. Making that throw over the middle when it mattered? Nope.
So where does Pickett fall?
Right now, he's squarely in the solid-but-rarely spectacular category. Pickett can make the big play. He made a couple of big ones -- a 96-yard touchdown to Maurice Ffrench and the game-winner to Taysir Mack with 47 seconds left -- in Pitt's surprisingly difficult win against Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl. Could it be a sign he's ready to take the next step?
Pickett certainly puts in the work and has the physical tools. He's also the unquestioned leader of the offense. But it's an offense without a top-notch receiver and with minimal production from the tight end position. If Pickett can't get more out of his pass catchers, expect people to wonder if Yellen can be the next Marino.
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