Another day, another watch list or two for several of Pitt's top players.
Three Panthers -- safety Paris Ford, defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman and defensive end Patrick Jones II -- were named as candidates Tuesday for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually by the Football Writers Association of America to college football's top defensive player.
Twyman and center Jimmy Morrissey were selected to the watch list for the Outland Trophy, given to top interior lineman (offense or defense).
Former Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald won both awards in 2013, and former offensive lineman Mark May won the Outland in 1980.
Outland Trophy 🏆 Watch List
Nagurski Trophy 🏆 Watch List
Jaylen Twyman 🌟 DT 🌟 #97#H2P • @JaylenTwyman pic.twitter.com/sMBFQu6sqO
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) July 21, 2020
• Combining braun, speed and quick feet into a nose tackle's body, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward became one of the most beloved players and effective running backs in Pitt history.
In mid-June, the 1987 Heisman Trophy finalist who died 14 years ago from a brain tumor was put on the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame along with Matt Cavanaugh, who quarterbacked Pitt to the national championship in 1976.
Heyward will be inducted posthumously into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Oct. 16, the day before the Panthers' scheduled home game against Notre Dame. The 2020 class, which is Pitt's third, has a football-heavy flavor. Former head coach Jackie Sherrill, Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, the late Bob Peck and legendary coach Glenn "Pop" Warner (posthumous) will be honored.
If Heyward earns way into the College Hall, what a year it will be for his family.
"I never really got to see him play in college because I wasn't born, yet," Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward said during a Zoom conference call last month with reporters. "To see the lasting imprint he's had and be mentioned with so many greats that deserve to be honored, it's amazing. … I never thought my dad would be right next to Pop Warner in an award for something. Look at the College Football Hall of Fame if he gets in; what a year it would be for my dad."
Cool moment after practice today when @CamHeyward was given a Pitt game jersey worn by his dad, Craig ‘Ironhead’ Heyward. pic.twitter.com/On58yeBhal
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) July 30, 2018
• Syracuse plays at Pitt on Nov. 28 in the regular-season finale for both teams, but the Orange will play its home games this season at the Carrier Dome without fans, according to an order from New York governor Andrew Cuomo.
"Fanless, the game can go on. The game can be televised, but no fans," Cuomo told reporters during a conference call.
Syracuse already lost it home opener, which was scheduled for Sept. 19 against Colgate, a member of the Patriot League, which has suspended fall sports in 2020. Other home games for Syracuse are Louisville (Oct. 3), Liberty (Oct. 19), Georgia Tech (Oct. 31), North Carolina State (Nov. 14) and Florida State (Nov. 19).
The ruling also affects Football Championship Subdivision teams Buffalo and Army.
• Behind a recruiting surge with Mack Brown as head coach, North Carolina is a trendy pick to win the ACC Coastal Division.
The Tar Heels begin advanced workouts Friday, and Brown and his coaching staff will sport a look tailored to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Brown told reporters during a Zoom conference call with reporters that he and his staff will wear face shields and use sticks to ensure they maintain a 6-foot social distance from their players.
To continue reading, log into your account:
