PITTSBURGH — Pat Narduzzi’s Pitt Panthers continued to garner individual accolades with the unveiling of two more Midseason All-America teams by SI.com and CBSSports.com.
(Photo of Quadree Henderson. Photo courtesy of Pitt Athletics)
Three Pitt players were named Midseason All-Americans by SI.com: sophomore wide receiver/return specialist Quadree Henderson, senior offensive guard Dorian Johnson and senior defensive end Ejuan Price.
Henderson and Price were also honored by CBSSports.com. The pair previously was recognized on the Sporting News Midseason All-America squad.
Henderson has earned his Midseason All-America accolades as a return specialist. The sophomore has two kickoff return touchdowns this year and three over his last eight games. He is the only FBS player with multiple kickoff return TDs in 2016.
Henderson tops the ACC and ranks second nationally in combined kick return yardage (687). He is averaging an impressive 35.9 yards per kickoff return (third in FBS and first in ACC) and 12.4 yards per punt return (12 in FBS and fifth in ACC). The versatile Henderson has also been a threat in the pass and run games. His 172.86 all-purpose yards per game rank seventh in the country and second in the ACC.
Price is arguably the most disruptive defensive lineman in college football. He leads the country in quarterback sacks per game (1.29 avg.) and ranks third in tackles for loss per game (1.9 avg.). Price tops the ACC in both categories and is a frontrunner for the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Half of Price’s 26 tackles this season have been for a loss. He has compiled 13 TFLs, nine sacks, nine QB hurries and three forced fumbles on the year. Price has also established himself among the most prolific pass rushers in school history. He has 25.5 career sacks to rank sixth all-time at Pitt. That total places him third among the NCAA’s active career leaders.
Johnson has been a spearhead on the Panthers’ offensive front. A starter at left guard in 33 consecutive contests, he has helped the Pitt offense earn top 25 national rankings in time of possession (seventh, 34:48 avg.), fewest sacks allowed (eighth, 0.71 per game), red zone offense (15th, 93.5%, 29 of 31), rushing (19th, 239.1 yards per game) and scoring (25th, 38.4 points per game).
Johnson has established himself as a leading candidate for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, annually presented to the most outstanding blocker in the ACC by a vote of each school’s head coach or defensive coordinator.
Following an open date this week, the Panthers (5-2, 2-1 ACC) will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 27, when they host Virginia Tech (4-2, 2-1) at Heinz Field for a nationally televised ESPN game at 7 p.m.
PITT MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
Quadree Henderson—Return Specialist
CBSSports.com
SI.com (first team)
Sporting News
Ejuan Price—Defensive End
CBSSports.com
SI.com (second team)
Sporting News
Dorian Johnson—Offensive Guard
SI.com (first team)
