Nathan Peterman arrived at Tennessee in 2012 with solid credentials.
A four-star recruit and the No. 8 pro-style quarterback in the nation according to Rivals, Peterman threw 36 touchdown passes as a senior at Bartram Trail High School, located near Jacksonville, Fla. That was the second-best total in St. John's County history, trailing only Tim Tebow, who threw 46 touchdown passes in 2004.
Say what you want about Tebow's NFL career -- remember he did quarterback the Broncos to a playoff win over the Steelers in 2012 -- and his struggles in the Mets' minor league system, but the guy was a legendary college and high school player. So Peterman went to Tennessee in select company.
Peterman redshirted in 2012 but made only two starts for the Volunteers over the next two years.
He graduated with a degree in communications and wanted a fresh start. Pat Narduzzi, who was hired at Pitt before the Panthers' allowed three touchdowns in the final 3 minutes, 41 seconds against Houston to lose the Armed Forces Bowl by a point (35-34), was looking for a quarterback.
It was a match made in statistical heaven.
Peterman started the final 11 games in the 2015 season, passing for 2,287 yards and 20 touchdowns against eight interceptions, two coming in his first start at Iowa. His 61.5 completion percentage ranked second in the ACC.
A year later, Peterman engineered the highest-scoring offense in Pitt history.
With offensive coordinator Matt Canada calling the plays, Pitt scored 532 points (40.92 average), and Peterman led the Panthers to wins over Penn State and Clemson, a game in which he threw for five touchdowns and no interceptions. For the season, he passed for 2,855 yards and 27 touchdowns, led the ACC with a 163.4 passer-efficiency rating and finished fourth nationally in yards per completion (15.43).
When it comes to graduate transfers at Pitt, Peterman is the standard-bearer, but he's far from the only one to appear on the roster.
While Narduzzi said he's not a fan of the NCAA transfer portal, Pitt isn't afraid to grab a graduate transfer to help fill holes in the roster. In fact, it's a growing trend in college football.
In 2014, there were 67 graduate transfers in the sport, according to numbers released by the NCAA.
The number grew to 225 in 2019, compared to 123 in men's basketball, 46 in track and field and 110 in all other sports. A big reason for the growing numbers is it's easier for student-athletes to graduate early. Some earn college credits in high school. More financial aid opportunities exist, and there are fewer NCAA academic progress-toward-degree standards (things such as minimum grade-point average, term-by-term and annual credit hour requirements and percentage-of-degree requirements).
As long as a student-athlete is enrolled in a graduate coursework or pursuing a second degree at their new school, they qualify to play sports.
Of the nearly 113,000 Division-I athletes in 2019, there were 5,312 postgrads, 706 of which were grad transfers.
Three of those -- Nolan Ulizio, John Petrishen, Kylan Johnson -- played football at Pitt. There also is a pair -- offensive tackle Kendrick Wilson (Hampton) and tight end Lucas Krull (Florida) -- in line to contribute this season.
Though no grad transfer brought in by Narduzzi has made the impact Peterman did, there have been a few hits, a couple with mixed reviews and some misses.
It's time for a closer look.
HITS
Johnson -- The linebacker transferred from Florida and was an immediate contributor to one of the nation's top defenses. He started all 13 games last season at money linebacker, finishing with 54 tackles (10.5 tackles for loss), 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Johnson was an honorable mention All-ACC selection, and he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dolphins.
Stefano Millin -- The left tackle made 30 starts while at Kent State, often dominating Mid-American Conference competition. Could that carry over to the ACC? It sure did. Millin started all 14 games in 2018, helping lead the way for a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall. Millin was a second-team all-conference pick, and he even scored a touchdown on a throwback lateral against Wake Forest.
Who doesn't love a BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN?!🙌
Stefano Millin takes the screen for 6⃣!#H2P (@Pitt_FB) pic.twitter.com/37qmZVMlcC
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 17, 2018
MIXED REVIEWS
Ulizio -- The grad transfer from Michigan certainly filled a need, as he started 13 games at right tackle last season. But Ulizio, who signed with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers in May, was part of an offensive line that allowed 76 tackles for loss and frequently was penalized.
Max Browne -- Browne, who played at USC after being one of the nation's most sought-after high school quarterbacks in 2012, earned the starting job coming out of training camp in 2017. He struggled early, but gradually found some footing, making five starts in six appearances. His only season at Pitt was cut short by a shoulder injury after throwing for 997 yards five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Matt Flanagan -- The first in a wave of grad transfers at the tight end position for Pitt, Flanagan provided modest production (17 receptions, 160 yards) and solid run blocking before his 2017 season ended early because of injury.
MISSES
Brandon Hodges -- Hodges arrived from Texas for the 2017 season, and the belief was he could be an immediate contributor on the offensive line. He got chances, appearing in eight games, but Hodges made just three starts (Youngstown State, Georgia Tech, Rice) at right guard.
Jeff George Jr. -- A son of the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, George started only nine games in his college career -- all at Illinois. He left the Illini for Michigan as a grad transfer but didn't stay long before bolting to Pitt. George appeared in five games over two years with the Panthers and served as Kenny Pickett's backup.
Will Gragg -- Pitt needed bodies at tight end, and Gragg, who transferred from Arkansas, filled that role. He appeared in 26 games over two seasons but managed just 24 receptions for less than 200 yards.
Nakia Griffin-Stewart -- Griffin-Stewart arrived last year from Rutgers and teamed up with Gragg to form a lackluster combination at tight end. Griffin-Stewart started 12 games last season, finishing with 19 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown. He currently is on the Vikings roster as an undrafted free agent.
INCOMPLETE
Petrishen -- The former Central Catholic standout transferred from Penn State last August and played on special teams in seven games. He has a year of eligibility remaining, but the safety could find playing time on defense hard to come by with Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin firmly established as starters.
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