Inside The Panthers

Pitt DL Calijah Kancey Named to Lott IMPACT Award Watchlist

The Panthers' star nose tackle continues to rack up preseason praise ahead of his junior season.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt DL Calijah Kancey Named to Lott IMPACT Award Watchlist
Pitt DL Calijah Kancey Named to Lott IMPACT Award Watchlist /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- Redshirt junior defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has been a steady, powerful force in the middle of the Pitt Panthers' stellar defensive line ever since joining the program three years ago, and the college football world is taking notice. 

The Pitt defender was named to the Lott IMPACT Award watchlist on Thursday. It's named after former USC and San Francisco 49ers star and IMPACT stands for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity. It honors a player that has the biggest impact on their team, on and off the field. 

The winner will be announced on December 11 during a black tie gala at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. 

Kancey is a part of an impressive list of candidates that includes Alabama star linebacker Will Anderson, stalwart Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Breseee and Dick Butkus Award semifinalist Noah Sewell of Oregon. The watchlist announcement described him as an "Aaron Donald type player". 

Last season, Kancey led the Panthers in tackles for loss with 13 and was second in sacks with seven. He added 33 total tackles, a forced fumble and defended pass for good measure. 

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

Jeff Capel on Pitt Signing Greg Elliot

Former Pitt G Onyebuchi Ezeakudo Finds New Home

Pitt Players React to Jordan Addison's Transfer to USC

Former Pitt WR Jordan Addison Comments on USC Decision

Former Pitt WR Jordan Addison Committing to USC

Pitt Football Opens As Early Favorite In Backyard Brawl

Report: Former Pitt WR Jordan Addison Narrows Transfer Options

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