Four Pitt Players Make National Award Watchlists

Several Pitt Panthers players have been named to award watchlists.

Dec 27, 2025; Annapolis, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) looks to the sidelines during the first quarter of the Military Bowl against the East Carolina Pirates at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As the college football season approaches, watch lists for players who could contend for national awards are popping up. The Pitt Panthers don't have quite as many contending candidates as last year, but they do have several players who are being recognized in the preseason.

Nov 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) warms up before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mason Heintschel

It's not surprising that Pitt's breakout quarterback Mason Heintschel is a name being thrown around for awards after being so good in his true freshman season.

Heintschel has been named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, an award given to the best all-around player in college football. It is usually a good indicator for who will win Heisman, as last year's winner was Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza.

Heintschel was also put on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, an award that is given to players who go beyond the game and do positive work for their community. Heintschel recently started the "Have a Heart" campaign, which fundraises for the Heart Institute at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Ryan Carretta

Offensive lineman Ryan Carretta was named in the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, an award given to the best center in college football.

Carretta is entering his redshirt junior year in a new position. He played in 11 games last year as a left tackle, and is now stepping up to be center after the team lost Lyndon Cooper to the transfer portal.

Carretta is one of just three ACC players named to the watch list.

Ryan Baer & BJ Williams

That's not all for Pitt's OLine, as Ryan Baer and BJ Williams were named to the Outland Trophy watchlist. The award is given to the best offensive or defensive linemen in the country.

Williams, entering his senior year, started in all 13 games for the Panthers at right guard last season. He was an All-ACC Honorable Mention and has made the All-ACC Academic Football team three times.

Baer has a similar story. The redshirt senior started in all 13 games at right tackle in 2025 and was also an Honorable Mention for All-ACC.

Both players have stayed with the program since their freshman years.

Nov 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) and offensive lineman BJ Williams (55) celebrate after a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There are more watch lists to come, but Pitt has been underrepresented in the defensive awards so far this season. Last year, the linebacker duo of Rasheem Biles and Kyle Louis dominated in preseason award watch lists. Now, Pitt's offense is being looked at as the team's stronger unit.

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