Eight Panthers Named to Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Team
PITTSBURGH -- College football insider Phil Steele has plenty of respect for the talent the Pitt Panthers have on their roster entering the 2023 season and he demonstrated that in his Preseason All-ACC Team.
Steele named eight Panthers to nine different spots on his early all-conference team, including two specialists, five offensive players and a pair of defenders.
Ben Sauls and M.J. Devonshire both made the first team as a placekicker and punt returner, respectively. Sauls made all of his 47 extra points, 83.3% of his field goals and 15 of his final 16 3-pointers, while Devonshire averaged nearly 10 yards per punt return while taking one back for a score in 2022.
Devonshire made the second team as a defensive back as well, coming off a season in which he led Pitt corners in tackles, defended eight passes, intercepted three balls and returned two for touchdowns. Right tackle Matt Goncalves is the Panthers' other second-teamer after he established himself as a stalwart blocker while the whole line shuffled in the wake of key injuries.
Running back Rodney Hammond, who accounted for 533 total yards and five scores as star rusher Israel Abanikanda's backup, joined 2022's second-leading receiver, receiver Konata Mumpfield (551 yards, one touchdown) and tight end Gavin Bartholomew (283 receiving yards, two touchdowns) on the third team offense. Linebacker Bangally Kamara (49 tackles, three TFLs, one interception, seven passes defended in 2022) is the Panthers' lone third team defender.
Center Jake Kradel, who was a standout starter at multiple positions along the injury-hampered offensive line last season, made the fourth team offense.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!
Pitt Transfer Nate Santos Commits to Dayton
Pitt G Jamarius Burton Adds Two More NBA Workouts
Pitt G Greg Elliot to Workout for Detroit Pistons
Four-Star Pitt LB Target Cameron Lindsey Sets Commitment Date
Pitt Has Connection to Four-Star G with NBA Pedigree
Former Pitt QB Kenny Pickett Primed for Breakout Year
- Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt
