Pitt Lands Four on PFF Preseason All-ACC Team
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers lost a lot of talent to the NFL Draft and graduation this past winter and that attrition was reflected in the fact that no one from Pittsburgh made Pro Football Focus' Preseason All-ACC first team.
But even while the Panthers were shutout of the first team, four Pitt players - offensive tackle Matt Goncalves, placekicker Ben Sauls, offensive guard Blake Zubovic and cornerback M.J. Devonshire - made either the second or third team.
Goncalves, a second-team selection, has emerged as one of the Panthers' best offensive lineman after a strong 2022 campaign in which he helped fill in for Carter Warren, a starter and team captain who went down with a knee injury midway through the season. He projects as a starter at right tackle this coming season.
Sauls, another second-teamer, was one of the most effective kickers in the conference and the country last season, especially as the year wore on. He missed just one of 16 field goal attempts over the final 10 games of the 2022 season and was the hero of the Sun Bowl win over then-No. 18 UCLA, nailing all five of his kicks, including the game-winner from 47 yards out.
Zubovic, who played in all 13 games and made nine starts last season, helped anchor an offensive line that struggled with injuries all throughout the 2022 season but still managed to pave the way effectively for a furious rushing attack that was among the best in the country. He was a third team selection.
Devonshire, also a third-teamer will be a key piece of a three-man rotation at cornerback after and, after tying the team lead in interceptions with three (two of which he returned for touchdowns) and leading Pitt corners in tackles. He also recorded the second-most punt returns of 20 yards or more in college football last season and figures to be one of the more dangerous special teamers in America once again.
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