in Pitt Football 366 Words

Kancey, Kancey, Kancey…

​​​​​​​December 8, 2022​

Pitt’s Calijah Kancey Named First Team Walter Camp All-American

PITTSBURGH—Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey’s stature as one of the nation’s elite players was reasserted this evening when he was named a first team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Unveiled during ESPN’s live telecast of The Home Depot College Football Awards, the 2022 Walter Camp All-America Team was selected by the nation’s 131 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coaches and sports information directors. It is college football’s oldest All-America squad, dating back to 1889.

Kancey is the third Pitt defensive player in the past three seasons to be named a first team Walter Camp All-American, joining 2020 honoree’s Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver.

The Walter Camp recognition is the latest prestigious honor for Kancey, who previously was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a first team All-American by CBS Sports and Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot, 280-pound junior additionally earned College Football Network’s National Defensive Tackle of the Year award.

Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) has been one of college football’s most dominant players regardless of position. He compiled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played.

Despite facing an array of blocking schemes designed to slow him down, Kancey averaged 1.32 tackles for loss per game to rank 16th nationally and first among the nation’s interior defenders.

He spearheaded a Pitt defense that leads the country in sacks (3.75 avg.), ranks seventh nationally against the run (95.5 avg.) and ranks 19th in fewest total yards allowed (319.7 avg.).

The Walter Camp All-America squad is one of five used in the NCAA’s selection of an annual college football consensus All-America team. The other selectors, which will release their teams in the coming days, are Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Sporting News.

CALIJAH KANCEY POSTSEASON ACCOLADES

Walter Camp All-American (first team)

CBS Sports All-American (first team)

Pro Football Focus All-American (first team)

College Football Network National Defensive Tackle of the Year

ACC Defensive Player of the Year

First Team All-ACC

Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist (National Defensive Player of the Year)

Outland Trophy Finalist (Nation’s Best Interior Lineman)

20 thoughts on “Kancey, Kancey, Kancey…”

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    ​​​​​​​​December 9, 2022​

    Pitt Trio Earns All-America Accolades from Football Writers Association of America

    PITTSBURGH—Three Pitt players have been named to the 2022 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, it was announced today.

    Calijah Kancey earned first-team defensive lineman honors, while Israel Abanikanda (running back) and Erick Hallett II (defensive back) received second-team recognition.

    Pitt’s three overall FWAA selections tied for second among all schools.

    Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) was named a first team All-American for the second time in as many days by an NCAA-recognized selector. He was previously honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

    The 6-foot, 280-pound junior defensive tackle compiled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played this season. His average of 1.32 TFLs per game ranks 16th nationally and first among the nation’s interior defenders.

    Abanikanda (Brooklyn, N.Y./Abraham Lincoln) rushed for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns on 239 carries (6.0 avg.) over 11 contests. He leads the country in rushing touchdowns, total TDs (21) and scoring (11.6 points per game).

    The junior speedster additionally ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards (164.09 avg.) and seventh in rushing (130.1 avg.). Abanikanda previously was named a first team All-American by CBS Sports.

    Hallett (Cypress, Texas/Cy-Fair) was responsible for a Pitt-high six turnovers this season (three interceptions and three fumble recoveries). He leads the ACC and ranks third in the country in recovered fumbles. The senior safety additionally compiled 47 tackles, three tackles for loss and 12 total passes defended while playing in all 12 games.

    The FWAA and Walter Camp teams are among the five used in the NCAA’s selection of an annual consensus All-America team for college football. The others are the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press and Sporting News, each of which will be announced in the coming days.

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  4. My bowl and draft predictions on the most likely Pitt to NFL candidates:

    1 – Kancey already out for bowl and declares for draft
    2 – Hallet plays the bowl but declares for the draft
    3 – Izzy opts out for the bowl and declares for the draft
    4 – Haba opts out of bowl and plays for Pitt in 2023
    5 – Wayne plays in bowl but declares for the draft
    6 – Morgan plays in bowl and plays for Pitt in 2023
    7 – Dennis plays in bowl but declares for draft
    8 – Flemister plays in bowl and for Pitt in 2023
    9 – George out for bowl but plays for Pitt in 2023
    10 – Kradel plays in bowl and for Pitt in 2023
    11 – Patti plays in bowl but enters TP
    12 – Zubovic plays in bowl and for Pitt in 2023
    13 – Wiltz plays in bowl but think he’s out of eligibility in 2023
    14 – Simon plays in bowl but out of eligibility in 2023
    15 – Minor/Warren opts out of bowl and declares for draft

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  5. Pitt basketball’s Dior Johnson pleads guilty to two misdemeanors, remains suspended by team
    38m ago
    Pitt first-year basketball player Dior Johnson pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence for strangulation and simple assault Friday. He was sentenced to one year of probation and is required to complete a batterer’s intervention program.

    Johnson,18, was arrested in October after allegedly striking a woman across the face because she got him and his phone wet in September. Police said in the criminal complaint that Johnson repeatedly punched the victim in her arms, stomach and head. Magisterial District Judge Mik Pappas dismissed three charges against Johnson in October.

    While the strangulation charge was originally a felony charge, prosecutors reduced it to a misdemeanor per the plea agreement.

    Pitt athletics said in a Friday afternoon statement that Johnson is still suspended from the team. Pitt suspended Johnson in October from all team activities indefinitely, until his legal situation is resolved.

    “Pitt continues to follow University and athletic department protocols regarding Dior Johnson’s suspension,” it said. “All parties continue to work through the process and will not comment until additional steps have been completed.”

    Johnson’s lawyer, Robert Del Greco Jr., told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Pitt also prohibited Johnson from being on campus. He said he hopes now that his client will be allowed back after his guilty plea.

    “I’m hoping there’s some allowance for redemption and restoration for him,” Del Greco said.

    The post Pitt basketball’s Dior Johnson pleads guilty to two misdemeanors, remains suspended by team appeared first on The Pitt News.

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    1. Johnson should remain suspended from team but allowed on campus until he’s completed the batterer’s intervention program.

      Kind of “split the baby” solution. Maybe gets him back for most of the ACC schedule, but punishment for seriousness of misdemeanors.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. The things I know about this woman I’d love to share but it’s here-say until her previous priors are allowed to be in the discussion.

    To reiterate, it is never ok to hit or physically assault a woman!

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  11. Not surprised at Pitt’s statement, as an institution they have to follow protocol.
    Not sure there is a policy on playing while on probation. Will they jerry-rig some additional punishment, will he have to sit in front of some type of student tribunal?

    It is a serious situation and no matter what they do they will deal with difficult public relations. The more I think about it, it could go either way.

    If DJ does get to play he is going to hear some horrendous cheers from the opposition and of course Pitt fans have done it to others.

    It will also be up for discussion from all announcers, so does Pitt want to bare the brunt of that?

    On the other hand does DJ have a legal standing if Pitt does not allow him to play.

    Not sure of the rule, does he have to play a year in college before he tries the NBA or does sitting out a year count?

    Too much to think about.

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  12. I’m confused (again!) — I Dior is not allowed on campus, how could he possibly be eligible to play?

    If he’s given a second chance, it would have to be starting next term, wouldn’t it?

    Go Pitt.

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  13. If Patti gets the start, plays well, and leads Pitt to victory in the Sun Bowl, does he stick around and get a FAIR chance to win the job next year? He’s got talent and stuck around all these years while other guys got the nod…Jurkovec looks talented but not exactly the second coming of John Elway?! I’d lean toward Patti and give him the job until he proves unable…maybe Jurkovec has another year of eligibility for 2024?

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