Inside The Panthers

Pitt's Young WRs Steal Show in Spring Game

The Pitt Panthers saw their young wide receivers excel in the Spring Game.

Dominic Campbell

Sep 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Kenny Johnson (2)
Sep 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Kenny Johnson (2) / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- Throughout the Spring Game, many young wide receivers for the Pitt Panthers made plays that showed their talents and their desire to move up the depth chart.

One player who made an impact as a freshman was Kenny Johnson. He played in all 12 games, with three starts, making 15 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. He also excelled in the kick return game, including a 100-yard touchdown return in the loss to North Carolina in September.

He led all receivers in the Spring Game with six catches and 77 yards and one touchdown. That score came in the third quarter, as redshirt freshman quarterback Ty Dieffenbach found him on a screen pass that he easily ran into the end zone for an 18-yard score.

Redshirt freshman Lamar Seymore didn't see much time last year, but made a big play in the Spring Game for the Blue Team. He ran down the field, beat out redshirt junior defensive back Tamarion Crumpley, and received a great pass over the top from redshirt junior quarterback Nate Yarnell for the 34-yard score.

Yarnell, who is the starting signal caller for the program heading into next season, gave credit to his young wideouts going forward, especially Seymore.

"He's grown a lot," Yarnell said. "Like I said, all those young guys, there's no doubt that these guys can do it and it was great to see him get out there and make a great play today."

Fellow redshirt freshman Zion Fowler-El made four catches for 15 yards, serving as a starter for the Blue Team. Freshman Cameron Monteiro had a catch for 10 yards, while redshirt freshman running back Montravius Lloyd made two catches for 15 yards for the Blue Team.

While Lloyd isn't a true wideout, he works more as a flex option for the Panthers, putting him at both running back and wide receiver.

With young talents like redshirt freshman Israel Polk, Seymore, Fowler-El, Monteiro and Johnson, Pitt football has a great talent base for wide receivers going forward.

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Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

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