Nov 2, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi during the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Pitt Announces Honorary Captain vs. Central Michigan

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Panthers on SI
By Karl Ludwig | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 10:02 AM ET

Damar Hamlin returned to serve as an honorary captain for the Pitt Panthers' season opener, and now another former defensive standout will be back in town.

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi announced that former defensive lineman Mick Williams will serve as the honorary captain for the Panthers' matchup against Central Michigan on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.

Narduzzi outlined Williams' accomplishments on X (formerly known as Twitter): 3-year letterman, 2009 team captain, first-team All-Big East and co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and over 30 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during his Pitt career.

Tomorrow’s honorary captain is Mick Williams!!

· Defensive Lineman at Pitt from 2005-2009.
· 3 Year Letterman.
· 2009 Team Captain.
· First Team All-Big East and the Co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.
· Had 12.5 Sacks and 34 TFL’s in his Pitt career.#H2P pic.twitter.com/l4KSgYkhZY
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) September 6, 2025

Williams - a 6-foot-1 defensive tackle from Monessen, Pa. - was a WPIAL standout before committing to Pitt. He starred on both sides of the football at Monessen, earning All-State honors.

After playing sparingly as a freshman in 2006, he emerged as a key contributor during his sophomore and junior seasons - playing in 24 games and racking up 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. But it was his senior season that set him apart.

Williams led the Panthers with 42 tackles (28 solo), 17 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass breakup.

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

While Wiliiams did not make it to the NFL level, he made an impact at Monessen (where he's active today) and at Pitt. And now he's coming back to serve as a captain one more time for the Panthers.

Pitt and Central Michigan are scheduled to kick off at 12 p.m. on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. The game, the first-ever meeting between the two programs, will also be broadcast on ESPU.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Panthers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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