Kenny Johnson Dominating Pitt Receiver Room

Narduzzi also touched on another returning receiver in Zion Fowler-El who only had one catch for 12 yards last season but has shown promise. 

“Well, he's grown up a little bit, maybe a lot. I remember, first month, (Fowler-El) has come a long way that way,” Narduzzi said. “And again, I think everybody matures in a different spot, but he's got really good athletic ability. 

“He can make plays. He's put four good practices under his belt again. Again, he's just got to keep the consistency in doing all the right things on that field.”

With Kade Bell’s pass-heavy offense installed ahead of the 2024-25 season, Pitt’s receiver roster was equipped with the type of weapons necessary to churn out big-time yardage. 

Although Coach Narduzzi understands that injuries damaged that opportunity, the receiver group didn’t deliver to its full potential. 

“I think it would have maybe gotten better had we not had quarterback and O-Line issues at the end of the year. But it's never where you want it to be. No. I'd say we'd like to be more explosive than we were a year ago.”

All indications point to Johnson looking to lead that unit to an improved outcome in the upcoming season. 

The upperclassman pass-catcher returns alongside last season’s slot receiver starter Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr., a trio of receivers that transferred from two ACC programs and an SEC squad, and a pair of mid-year-entry freshmen. 

Reviewed earlier this month by Inside the Panthers, those newcomers include Andy Jean (Florida), Deuce Spann (FSU), and Cataurus Hicks (Louisville) alongside true freshmen Tony Kinsler out of Daytona Beach, Florida, and Bryce Yates out of Miami, Florida.

It’s an interesting group of two battle-tested Pitt receivers who combined for 83 receptions, 963 yards and nine touchdowns last season as starters (Johnson and Johnson Jr.), multiple pass-catchers who saw action last year, and a handful of very capable but untested athletes looking to make an impact on the perimeter.