Pitt Panthers

It helps explain why McKillop had SIX tackles against Nebraska last year (with a shared quarterback sack); had a career high of SEVEN tackles at Rutgers; led the defensive line with 44 total tackles, and led Pitt with 6.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. McKillop was also the only player to start all 11 games on the defensive front last year. With training camp yet ahead, he has great opportunity in front of him to start every game this year as well.

His brother, Scott, had a pretty good year last year, for a redshirt freshman. He lettered, after playing in all 11 games, serving as H.B. Blades’ primary backup at Mike (Middle) Linebacker and finishing with 27 tackles for the year. Scott McKillop rose to the occasion when Blades was injured in the Backyard Brawl at West Virginia during Thanksgiving. Instead of merely filling in a blank spot on the field, he went out and wreaked havoc on the Mountaineer offense. Scott made 13 tackles that game, a career-high!

Chris McKillop

Adam Gunn, another Kiski Area standout, also played in all 11 games as a redshirt freshman, primarily on special teams though he saw some time at Will (Weakside) Linebacker. Gunn had eight tackles for the season, but caught the coaching staff’s attention against Cincinnati when he blocked a Bearcat punt. He earned the Coaching Staff Special Teams Player of the Game (Cincinnati) for that little number. Later against Connecticut, he turned heads again when he blocked another punt! Pitt was able to capitalize on both blocks and scored off the field position they gained.

Scott McKillop and Adam Gunn, both sophomores, look to gain serious playing time this year but will have to battle upperclassmen to in order to start. Burrell’s John Brown, a redshirt freshman this year, will have opportunity to get some field experience during the season, and Fox Chapel’s Justin Latore will be competing for time at wide receiver.