Three Biggest Winners From Pitt’s Spring Game

The Pitt Panthers had three stars shine in their spring game.during the program’s Spring Game.

Oct 14, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Kenny Johnson (2) / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH - - The Pitt Panthers’ Spring Game offered a brief glimpse into how the program
will look on both sides of the ball during the 2024 season while featuring a handful of players
who stand to emerge as key contributors in what the team hopes is a bounce-back campaign.

Gavin Bartholomew, Tight End

First on the list is Gavin Bartholomew, who is coming off of an underwhelming 2023 season for
the Panthers in which he recorded just 326 receiving yards and one touchdown on 18
receptions.

He took a step in the right direction on Saturday in his first taste of game action under new
offensive coordinator Kade Bell, however, securing two receptions for 45 yards in a winning
effort for the Gold Team.

Bartholomew broke onto the scene as a true freshman during Pitt’s run to the ACC
Championship in 2021 and garnered second team freshman All-American honors from outlets
such as The Athletic and Pro Football Network, but couldn’t quite recapture that magic over his
following two campaigns.

Based on his fit in a new scheme as well as his overall talent level and performance in the
Spring Game, however, he appears primed to reemerge as a dangerous weapon in the passing
game this fall.

Rasheem Biles, Linebacker

Second is Rasheem Biles, who joined the Panthers as a consensus three-star recruit in their
class of 2023 and made an immediate impact on special teams, appearing in nine games while
leading the nation with three blocked punts.

He was all over the field at linebacker on Saturday, leading all players with seven total tackles
as a member of the Blue Team while recording two tackles for loss and a sack in addition to a
pass defended.

Biles never truly got an opportunity to prove himself on defense last season, but he may very
well force his way onto the field in 2024 despite being surrounded by an abundance of talented
players at his position.

Kenny Johnson, Wide Receiver

The final entry is Kenny Johnson, another three-star prospect in the class of 2023 who
performed at a high level as a true freshman in 2023. He appeared in all 12 of Pitt’s contests
and was an All-ACC honorable mention as a return specialist after recording an 100-yard touchdown against North Carolina while also racking up 122 yards and a touchdown through the
air.

Johnson led all players in receptions and receiving yards with six and 77, respectively, while
hauling in an 18-yard touchdown from Ty Dieffenbach in the third quarter that ultimately made
up the difference in a win for the Gold Team.

The Panthers added quite a bit of skill position talent this offseason, but retaining Johnson was
a top priority, and for good reason. He figures to take a major leap as a sophomore and is the
type of dynamic playmaker the offense needs if it is going to put its struggles in the past.

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

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