Inside The Panthers

Pitt Teammates, Coaches React to Buccaneers Drafting Calijah Kancey

Calijah Kancey's Pitt Panthers teammates and coaches were ecstatic that he went in the first round.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Teammates, Coaches React to Buccaneers Drafting Calijah Kancey
Pitt Teammates, Coaches React to Buccaneers Drafting Calijah Kancey /
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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. 

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

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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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