Veteran Pitt Players Publicly Address Jordan Addison's Transfer

Sixth-year seniors Deslin Alexandre and Carter Warren spoke on the former Pitt Panthers wide receiver.

PITTSBURGH -- The dust has settled on the Jordan Addison saga. The former Pitt Panthers receiver is long gone after entering the transfer portal amid rumors that he was receiving lucrative NIL deal offers to transfer to one of college football's blue bloods.

Addison went across the country to Los Angeles, where he'll play for head coach Lincoln Riley's reinvented USC Trojans. Back in Pittsburgh, he left behind the team that recruited him and won a conference title with him. He was criticized heavily and his intentions were put under a microscope for weeks while he mulled the decision, but some of his former teammates said that inside the Pitt locker room, they wish nothing but the best for Addison. 

Offensive tackle Carter Warren said they all understand Addison had an exciting opportunity in front of him, but are primarily concerned with getting themselves ready for the fall. 

“We’re happy for him," Warren said. "He had a great opportunity and he left, so good for him, but we’re focused on this team right now. I feel like we’re focused on our room and that’s basically it.”

Defensive end Deslin Alexandre, a captain on last year's team, echoed that sentiment and added that he believes the receiver's room is deep enough to withstand such a big loss. 

"We all wish him the best but we just want to focus on the guys we have here," Alexandre said. "We have Konata [Mumpfield], Bub Means, Jared Wayne who have been great additions to this team. So we’ve got some great guys in here who are going to do great this year and that’s what we’re focused on.”

Alexandre also said that the strong culture already existing within the program made it easier for the players to digest and move on from Addison's departure. He even recalled last season's team mantra - 'We Not Me' - to illustrate his point. 

"From the day I stepped in here for the first time to today, the culture is what makes it easier to be able to lead because guys are not worried about themselves," Alexandre said. "It’s we, not me. The sum of the whole is bigger than all of us.”

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

Pitt Basketball Takes Significant Leap In Recruiting Rankings

Dior Johnson Commits to Pitt

Pair of Panthers Help US Win Gold At Pan American Cup

Where Would Dior Johnson Fit in With Pitt Basketball?

Four-Star PG Puts Pitt Basketball in Top-Three

Pitt Hosts Pair of Four-Star Recruits

Pitt's 2023 Non-Conference Schedule Stocked With High Major Opponents

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt