Inside The Panthers

Pitt DT Calijah Kancey Gets Call From Buccaneers

Watch the latest Pitt Panther to be taken in the first round get the call from his new team.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt DT Calijah Kancey Gets Call From Buccaneers
Pitt DT Calijah Kancey Gets Call From Buccaneers /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey got the call and it was official - he was going to become a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. It was confirmation of the potential Kancey knew was always within himself. 

The Pitt star spent draft night in his hometown of Miami, Florida. His position coach, Charlie Partridge was there with him and plenty of other teammates and coaches were cheering him on from afar. A couple of teams in need of defensive linemen 

"Well, we've been sweating this one out," Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said. "How do you feel about being a Buc?"

"Man, I feel awesome," Kancey replied. "I'm ready."

Before he shattered all-time records with his speed and quickness at the NFL Combine and Pitt's Pro Day, Kancey was a unanimous All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year this past season after recording 31 tackles, 14.5 for a loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games this year.

He suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of the regular season finale and sidelined him for the Sun Bowl against No. 18 UCLA, but Kancey still led the country's interior defensive linemen in tackles for loss.

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

Vikings Draft Former Pitt WR Jordan Addison in First Round

Buccaneers Draft Pitt DT Calijah Kancey in First Round

Pitt Target Noah Thomasson Sets Commitment Date

Jeff Capel Remembers Pitt Legend Dick Groat

Pitt Reveals Victory Heights Project Renderings

Kenny Pickett, Damar Hamlin Joke About Midseason Fight

Published
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:

Home/Football