Freshman Starting WR Returning to Pitt

The Pitt Panthers retained a young standout receiver this offseason.

PITTSBURGH -- A strong start to the week for the Pitt Panthers that included an offensive coordinator hiring, the first transfer addition of the offseason and the return of two starting defenders got even better with the announcement that a standout wideout will return in 2024. 

Freshman wide receiver Kenny Johnson revealed through Alliance 412, the preferred NIL collective of Pitt Athletics, that he would be back in 2024 for his sophomore year after breaking into the starting lineup midway through 2023. 

Johnson, a former three-star recruit out of Dallastown High School in York, Pennsylvania, played in 11 games and started three during his true freshman season. 

Separating himself from a talented group of wide receiver prospects who arrived at Pitt as members of the 2023 recruiting class, Johnson caught 11 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown. He added 72 yards rushing on 10 carries and accounted for 312 yards and a touchdown on 12 total kick returns on the way to All-ACC honorable mention distinction as a specialist. 

The Panthers are expected to retain three receivers with starting experience from 2023 - Konata Mumpfield, Daejon Reynolds and now Johnson. Leading receiver Bub Means has declared for the NFL Draft, but Pitt will still have the bulk of their skill position players returning, with tight end Gavin Bartholomew, running back Rodney Hammond and quarterbacks Christian Veilleux and Nate Yarnell in line to come back to school in 2024 as well. 

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