Inside The Panthers

Pitt Puts Punter on Scholarship

Caleb Junko is the latest Pitt Panther to earn a scholarship.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Puts Punter on Scholarship
Pitt Puts Punter on Scholarship /
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PITTSBURGH -- For the second time this week, a Pitt Panthers walk-on has earned a scholarship. 

Pretending that he and an assistant coach were fumbling with some video equipment during a team meeting this morning, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi revealed that punter Caleb Junko had earned a scholarship. 

"I was actually just talking to my mom last night," Junko said addressing the team. "About how I've been doing pretty well this camp and my opportunity to be up here and thank you guys for sticking behind me. Thank you and this means a lot."

After spending last season as one member of a three-man punting platoon, Junko separated himself during spring ball and entered the summer as a contender for the starting job in 2023. 

Junko averaged 48.7 yards on 12 kicks last season and placed four inside the 20-yard line. He set school, Sun Bowl and collegiate records with an 85-yard boot against UCLA. He also kicked and recovered an onside kick by himself against Rhode Island. 

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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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