Inside The Panthers

Three Pitt Legends on College Hall of Fame Ballot

The Pitt Panthers have three players up for the College Football Hall of Fame, including defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Dominic Campbell

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers have three players that are eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame, all of whom played a large in role the program's illustrious history.

The three former Panthers that have a chance to earn that induction are defensive tackle Aaron Donald - who is now eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time following his retirement from the NFL - quarterback Matt Cavanaugh and running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.

Donald, an alum of Penn Hills, played for Pitt from 2010-13 and starred in 2013, making 59 tackles (43 solo), 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes defended.

This earned him ACC Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American honors. He also secured the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronco Nagurski Trophy for best defensive player, the Outland Trophy for best interior lineman and the Lombardi Award for the player who embodies the spirit of Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi.

Donald also had an excellent NFL career with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, making the Pro Bowl all 10 seasons he played in, three NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards and is a member of the NFL All-2010s Decade Team.

He just retired this spring and in five years time, will likely serve as a First Ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Cavanaugh started at quarterback for the Panthers from 1975-77, leading the program to three Bowl wins and the 1976 National Championship, the last for the program.

His best season came in 1977, as he completed 87-of-151 passes for 1,457 yards and 11 touchdowsn, en route to First Team All-American honors. He also earned MVP honors in the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia that won Pitt the National Championship and the Gator Bowl the following season.

Heyward played three seasons for Pitt, 1984-87, missing the 1986 season, and is one of the best running backs in school history.

His best season came as a senior in 1987, where he rushed 357 times for 1,791 yards and 11 touchdowns, plus 21 catches for 198 yards and a touchdown as well. He earned concensus All-American honors, finished fifth in Heisman voting and his rushing yards ranks third best in a season in Pitt history.

He would finish his Pitt career with 3,086 yards rushing and 24 rushing touchdowns, ranking fifth and ninth best in program history, respectively.

Heyward died in 2006 at the age of 39, after a cancerous tumor metastasized in his brain for a year. He was also the father of Pittsburgh Steelers players, defensive end Cameron Heyward and tight end Connor Heyward.

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

Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt

Published
Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

Follow Dominic Campbell on Twitter.

Home/Football