Kenny Pickett, a 2021 Heisman finalist with Philly ties, could be an Eagles draft pick
University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett was originally headed to Temple University. Nearly six years later, he might just end up on the Eagles.
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NEW YORK — University of Pittsburgh senior quarterback Kenny Pickett did not hoist the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, but the ceremony was nevertheless a chance to celebrate his record-breaking season surrounded by family and friends.
The Oakhurst, N.J., native’s journey from Monmouth County to Pittsburgh to New York City has some Philadelphia connections.
“When I was a kid, I would go to Philadelphia to watch Eagles games,” Pickett said Saturday in a press conference before the trophy ceremony, mentioning that the Birds were his favorite team growing up. “My dad and my family would go and watch [Brian] Westbrook, [Donovan] McNabb, and Brian Dawkins.”
At one time, Pickett thought he’d be going to college in Philadelphia. In 2016, the summer before his senior season at Ocean Township High School, Pickett committed to Temple under then-coach Matt Rhule. Once Rhule departed for Baylor, Pickett changed his commitment to Pittsburgh.
That was nearly six years ago. This season, Pickett led his team to the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title and was named the ACC Player of the Year, but he might be most known for another achievement: executing the “fake slide.” During the ACC championship game against Wake Forest, Pickett used a fake slide to juke out a defender and then ran in for the touchdown.
“That was crazy,” said Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, a fellow Heisman finalist. “All the defenders started slowing down. It was a little weird, but hey, that was a cool thing.”
Less than a week later, the NCAA banned the move, citing safety concerns for both quarterbacks and defenders. Now, the play would be declared dead at the spot where the fake slide starts. Pickett, in a later tweet, said that he “changed the game” with the play. Some believe that the rule change should be dubbed the “Kenny Pickett rule.”
Like the fake slide, Pickett’s on-the-field creativity is just one factor that separates him from his competition. Throwing for more than 12,000 yards and 81 touchdowns over five seasons, Pickett has had one of the most successful offensive careers in Pitt history and broken Dan Marino’s passing records.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, who was awarded the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, had nothing but praise for his game.
“You can tell, he was really popping on film,” Young said of Pickett. “He jumped off the screen.”
In most mock drafts, the 6-foot-3 Pickett is listed among the top quarterbacks available. As a likely first-round pick, one potential landing spot for the 23-year-old is his childhood favorite team. McNabb was Pickett’s favorite player growing up.
» READ MORE: Eagles draft preview: Taking stock of the quarterback options
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was in attendance for the Panthers’ game against North Carolina at Heinz Field on Nov. 11. In many ways, it seems Pickett and Philadelphia would be a perfect match. The NFL draft is scheduled for April 28-30 in Las Vegas.
“I don’t have a preference to where I go,” Pickett said. “I’m just grateful to be in the discussion where I am now.”
After Pitt’s Peach Bowl game against Michigan State on Dec. 30 in Atlanta, Pickett will return to his hometown to train for the NFL Scouting Combine. But until then, he will likely continue to answer questions about his fake slide and his future NFL aspirations, knowing he is among the best college players in the country.
“I’m just grateful to have my name alongside those [Heisman] guys,” he said.