by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh – College football finally arrived last weekend and it brought with it the pageantry that felt even more endearing after COVID-19 robbed us of that atmosphere last year. The fans, bands and traditions aide in bringing to life the players that make the game great.
A new year reveals new faces that arrive to become difference makers as the year progresses. Pitt witnessed that in their 51-7 win over UMass, with tight end Lucas Krull, who begin his collegiate career at the JUCO level, lead the Panthers with 58-yards receiving.
His 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame wasn’t scene on the gridiron but the baseball diamond at the on set of his college career. Krull was on the mound pitching for Jefferson College and was selected in the 34th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants. His two seasons at Jefferson College (2017-18), gave way to an opportunity to head the SEC and play tight end for the Florida Gators.
Krull appeared in 25 games for the Gators, before arriving at Pitt and offering another dimension to the Panthers offense.
“I don’t know when the last time we had a tight end in with five catches,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said postgame. The last time a Pitt tight end reached that number was on September 9, 2017 with Chris Clark hauling in five catches for 23-yards and one touchdown.
Last season the Panthers tight ends combined for 10 catches for 100 yards over the course of their 11-game schedule. In their opening game against the Minutemen, Krull and fellow teammate and tight end Gavin Bartholomew combined for eight catches for 79-yards and one touchdown. The new wrinkle to the offense that includes a plethora of playmakers should enable quarterback Kenny Pickett to put plenty of pressure on opposing defenses this year.
“He’s a difference maker over the middle,” Pickett said. “He made a lot of catches over the middle. Great in the red zone. Getting the ball in the flat and getting in. Something we haven’t has in my time here.”
Over the last two years, Krull has been named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, annually presented to the top tight end in college football. However, due to his injury, he played in just one game last year for Pitt, having just one catch for six yards. He 2021 debut, has heighted the awareness of his potential across the college landscape.
“Lucas is a big target,” Narduzzi said. “Got to be great for his confidence. He didn’t start off that good a year ago, but he’s rolling. Right where he needs to be. He’s excited, and I think confidence is good for everybody.”
Four-time Big East All-Academic Football Team tight end Mike Shanahan ranks No. 1 in both catches (159) and receiving yards (2,276) for the Panthers. His impressive final year, in 2012, Shanahan reached 983 receiving yards a Pitt single season tight end record. Shanahan was later selected to the second team All-Big East team following the conclusion of the season.
“I think he’s got a big upside,” Narduzzi said of Krull. “He could be an All-ACC tight end.”
Krull displayed so much upside against the Minutemen it leaves the pallet craving more.
His first reception last week he showed great extension on catch. Possessing an NFL frame for the position, Krull showed good effort to get down field to block and found a soft spot in coverage for 24-yard reception with a nice spin move to net a few extra yards after the catch.
“Awesome,” was the word Krull used in explaining how he felt to finally suit up last Saturday. “You know it’s been a long time coming. You get hurt its all negative. It’s frustrating and painful. When you get that moment to comeback healthy and do whatever you can to help the team.”
Only Jared Wayne had more targets and catches in Week 1, leaving plenty of optimism on if Krull can come close to duplicating the single-season mark held by Shanahan.
“He just has to stay healthy,” said Pickett eluding to the possibilities that could be unleashed. “We can continue to put more and more stuff in as we get comfortable.”
It could become one of the top tandems in the ACC this year, the connection between Pickett and Krull.
“Our relationship was built truthfully since my first visit here,” Krull said about Pickett. “I knew he would be a fantastic quarterback. He’s one of my best friends here.”
Best buds off the field leave this blossoming tandem with plenty to get excited about when they suit up for gameday.
ACC honors could be in store for the pair if Week 1 is any indication of what is to come.
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