Inside The Panthers

OL Jake Kradel, Blake Zubovic Returning for One More Season with Pitt

The Pitt Panthers will retain two members of their veteran offensive line.

Stephen Thompson

OL Jake Kradel, Blake Zubovic Returning for One More Season with Pitt
OL Jake Kradel, Blake Zubovic Returning for One More Season with Pitt /
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers got some good news early this week when offensive linemen Jake Kradel and Blake Zubovic, a redshirt senior who has spent five seasons with the program, would exercise his final year of eligibility playing with the Panthers in 2023.  

Kradel and Zubovic's returns are key for a Pitt offensive line that has suffered some expected, but costly attrition this offseason. Carter Warren, Marcus Minor, Owen Drexel and Gabe Houy have all announced that they will move on from their college careers - either to pursue NFL dreams or the workforce. 

Kradel, a four-year starter at guard and center, is the early favorite to return to snapping duties next fall, a spot he played a lot in while Drexel was out for most of the season with an injury. He brings 43 games' worth of experience back with him as well. 

After appearing in 33 career games as a guard and center, Zubovic's versatility will provide a huge lift for the Panthers, who will be in desperate need of linemen who can step up and replace the holes left by talented veterans. While Pitt dealt with multiple brutal injuries this season, Zubovic was one of the players called upon to fill their spots. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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