Kenny Pickett shares message from former Heisman winners from Pitt

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett is in New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony festivities on Saturday night. He arrived a day after the other three finalists: Aidan Hutchinson, C.J. Stroud, and Bryce Young. Pickett spoke with reporters about how special it was coming to the Heisman ceremony for the first time.

“Yeah, it was really a special moment. Just kind of looking back on where I was a minute ago to where I’m sitting now, this time last year was a lot different for me,” he said.

“I was debating on going to the NFL. Was probably around a fifth-, sixth-round pick. Made a decision to come back, and me and Aidan were talking, we weren’t even on the odds to be here. Looking at where I started and now being here, just a lot of thanks to the people that helped me get here and my teammates, my coaches. Extremely grateful to be sitting up here with these three guys,” Pickett said.

He then got the chance to speak about if Pittsburgh Panther legend, Heisman Trophy winner, Tony Dorsett had reached out to him at all. During his storied career with the Panthers—Dorsett set or tied 18 college rushing records.

“Yeah, he has. It’s incredibly special to have the next opportunity for Pitt to bring home the Heisman, with Larry Fitzgerald, Dan Marino, and Tony Dorsett, all the guys that were around that were awarded, and Tony Dorsett winning it. I’m extremely grateful to have my name alongside those guys,” the Pittsburgh signal-caller said.

In his 2021 season, Pickett has completed 67.2% of his pass attempts for 4,319 passing yards, while tossing in 42 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. As a runner, he’s also rushed 97 times for 241 rushing yads and five touchdowns on the ground.

Pickett led the Pitt Panthers to an 11-2 overall record in 2021, including an ACC Championship victory over Wake Forest, 45-21.

Pitt will face the Michigan State Spartans in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. That game is slated for Dec. 30 at 7:00 PM EST. Kickoff is from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.