Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Kenny Pickett

Chris Adamski
Thursday, April 28, 2022 10:48 p.m. | Thursday, April 28, 2022 10:48 p.m.

Go Ad-Free Today!

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett throws during Pitt’s Pro Day last month at the indoor facility at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. A four-year starter at Pitt, Pickett was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round pick,

Kenny Pickett

First-round pick, No. 20 overall

Quarterback, Pitt

6-foot-3, 217 pounds

Stats: Broke Pitt’s career passing records for yardage (12,303), completions (1,045), passing touchdowns (81), overall touchdowns (102) and QB wins (32). Last season alone, Pickett completed 67% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The latter broke Deshaun Watson’s ACC season record.

Hometown: Oakhurst, N.J.

Tidbits: Heisman Trophy finalist and first- or second-team All America status by most of the major awarding outlets in 2021. … Played in four games as a true freshman in 2017, starting the finale when Pitt upset No. 2 Miami. Led the Panthers to both of their division titles (2018, 2021) and only outright conference championship (2021) in program history. … Had 20 career rushing touchdowns, a Pitt quarterback record. … Is the first Pitt player selected in the draft since RB James Conner in 2017 but only the second since 2000 (CB Hank Poteat). … Pickett is the fifth Pitt quarterback the Steelers drafted, joining Alex Van Pelt (eighth round, 1993), Ken Lucas (18th round, 1966), Corny Salvaterra (17th round, 1957) and Pete Neft (23rd round, 1956). … Pickett becomes the second-highest drafted Pitt player by the Steelers (Paul Martha, No. 10 in 1964) and first to go in the top 25 picks since G Tom Ricketts (No. 24 in 1989). … Father, Ken, is in the Shippensburg athletic Hall of Fame for his play at linebacker.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.