Boyd, Whitehead among nine Pitt Panthers selected to coaches’ All-ACC teams

Tyler Boyd and Jordan Whitehead were among the nine Pitt Panthers selected to the All-ACC Coaches’ Team.

PittsburghPanthers.com announced Wednesday that nine Pitt football players were selected to the All-ACC coaches team today, and it comes at a time when the honors are pouring in for the Pitt football program.

Last week, safety Jordan Whitehead and running back Qadree Ollison were named the media’s ACC defensive and offensive rookies of the year, with Whitehead the overall rookie of the year.

Today, Whitehead was named the defensive rookie of the year, while Ollison was named the offensive rookie of the year by the 14 ACC coaches.  Collectively, Whitehead and Ollison tied for the league’s overall rookie of the year honors, which should serve well as a recruiting chip for first-year head coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff.

Ollison finished the season with 1,048 yards rushing, which was fourth best in the ACC. Additionally, Whitehead finished the season with 99 tackles (67 solo), which was second-most for a freshman in school history.

Those earning first-team all-ACC honors included junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd, junior left tackle Adam Bisnowaty, and senior defensive end Ejuan Price.

Boyd was the lone unanimous selection among the ACC, despite missing the first game of the season due to suspension.   He led the ACC in receptions and receiving yards, hauling in 85 passes for 873 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 7.7 yards per catch and 79.4 yards per game.  His 85 receptions were seventh best in the country, and he also rushed the ball 35 times for 300 yards.

Junior left guard Dorian Johnson and Ollison received second-team honors. In addition, senior tight end J.P. Holtz, senior linebacker Nicholas Grigsby, senior defensive tackle Darryl Render and Whitehead were named to the third-team.

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Last season, running back James Conner took home ACC Player of the Year honors, but a knee injury in the first game of the season eliminated the possibility of a repeat.  Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson, the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, took home the award today totaling 4,399 total yards and 41 touchdowns.

Strong quarterback play usually correlates with success for a program.  Clemson, for example, is the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.  Pitt junior quarterback Nathan Peterman had a successful season, which triggered 8 wins in Narduzzi’s first year.  For Pitt to take the next step forward, the Panthers will need a strong senior season from Peterman.

The awards given to Whitehead and Ollison should be another reason why recruits will be attracted to Pitt.  Top athletes have the chance to contribute immediately on both sides of the ball.  Things continue to look positive for the Panthers, as Pitt is already well on its way towards securing top athletes locally.

Next: Pitt to play Navy in Military Bowl

Pitt will battle No. 21 Navy in the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland on Monday, December 28th, which may be the final game of Tyler Boyd’s career, given he declares for the NFL Draft.