Pitt Adds Talented JUCO Punter

The Pitt Panthers looked to boost their special teams unit under new coach Jacob Bronowski, by adding a new junior college punter.

Sep 30, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi reacts before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers look to boost their special teams unit under new coach Jacob Bronowski, as they added a junior college punter to the roster.

Cade Dowd announced his commitment to Pitt on Twitter. With no Pat Signal or other announcement, it's likely just a walk-on, who will have the chance to compete for a scholarship later on if he wins the starting job.

After a great visit and an offer, I am excited to announce that I have committed to punt at the University of Pittsburgh! #H2P@Pitt_FB @CoachDuzzPittFB @coachjbronowski @CoachOrrock @CoachA_Minor @Red_Raven_FB @KohlsKicking @KornblueKicking @keen_kicking pic.twitter.com/5chuw3IL9x

— Cade Dowd (@CadeDowd) May 31, 2024

Dowd spent the last two seasons at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan. He finished last season with 35 punts for 1,288 yards, 36.8 yards per punt, with his longest punt at 66 yards. He also 12 punts inside the 20-yard line, seven that went for fair catches and just one for a touchback.

His efforts earned him All-Conference honors a top 10 ranking as a JUCO punter. He also competed at the Kohl's Texas kicking, punting and snapping showcase, where he ranked No. 1 on roll out punts, No. 1 amongst transfer punters, No. 3 combined score with roll out punts and No. 8 without roll out punts.

✅ 1st place roll out punts
✅ 1st place transfer punters
✅ 3rd place w combined score including r/o punts
✅ 8th place wo r/o punts

4.5 ⭐️ Kohl’s Kicking Punter
#13 ranked Kohl’s Transfer Punter
All-Conference JUCO Punter
#4 ranked NJCAA Punter
May JUCO grad | 3.7 GPA… https://t.co/Vp877aicV6

— Cade Dowd (@CadeDowd) May 9, 2024

A couple of punts from yesterday’s practice:
4.8 Hang - 55 yards
4.7 Hang - 53 yards
4.3 Hang - 43 yards
4.2 Hang - 46 yards

If you’re looking for a punter/holder - message me, I’m still available for next season. #JUCOPunter #JUCOPRODUCT @Red_Raven_FB @Red_Raven_FB… pic.twitter.com/owstaIXMeu

— Cade Dowd (@CadeDowd) April 25, 2024

Pitt also offered a transfer FCS punter in Eemil Herranen, but he chose to go to San Diego State instead. Landing Dowd gives Bronowski a chance to bring his desired players into the program to bolster the position group going forward.

Dowd will compete with redshirt junior Caleb Junko, who earned a scholarship last season as the main punter. Junko struggled with inconsistency in 2023, where he would make some great punts and then terrible ones as well.

Junko finished last season with 62 punts for 2,653 yards, 42.3 yards per punt, seven touchbacks, 12 faircatches, 15 punts inside the 20-yard line and 18 punts for 50+ yards. 

He is the fifth transfer to join Pitt this offseason, including defensive backs Jaremiah Anglin Jr. from Kentucky and Josh McCarty from Eastern Michigan and defensive linemen Chief Borders from Nebraska and Anthony Johnson from Mississippi State.

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