Pitt Teammates, Coaches React to Buccaneers Drafting Calijah Kancey
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers' stud defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was drafted 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the first night of the NFL Draft, making him part of the first tandem of Panthers to be drafted in the first round since Darrelle Revis and Jeff Otah in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
The response from his Pitt teammates and coaches was, unsurprisingly, unanimous elation for Kancey.
"Our entire program is bursting with pride right now for Calijah," head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "This young man has absolutely earned all that comes with this night. Here's a Miami kid who didn't receive and in-state Power 5 offer, comes up to Pitt and ends up being a unanimous All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting a great player and even better person."
Kancey's position coach and decorated Pitt defensive line guru Charlie Partridge, was with Kancey in his hometown of Miami, Florida to share the life-changing night with him.
One of his teammates and fellow NFL Draft hopeful, Brandon Hill was just as excited for Kancey, who he shared starting jobs on the Pitt defense with for two years.
Fellow defensive lineman Dayon Hayes was over the moon as well for one of the players who mentored him and helped prepare Hayes for the starting role he is set to take on in the fall.
Pitt players past and present joined into celebrate Kancey's accomplishment. Former Panthers corner Louis Riddick used a commercial break to Tweet a message of support for Kancey from the set of ESPN's draft coverage. And four-star defensive line recruit Jashear Whittington congratulated Kancey over social media as well.
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