Pitt announced the Ed Conway Award winners yesterday. The award goes to the most improved players of spring, as decided by the coaches, and the winners were Dontez Ford (offense) and Tyrique Jarrett (defense).
If both continue to improve, it would be really good for Pitt. Obviously the Panthers need someone to play opposite Tyler Boyd, so even if Ford isn't a big downfield threat, just providing another option for Chad Voytik would be key. And if Jarrett can keep getting better, that would be huge; Pitt needs someone to make an impact up front, and while the ends remain a work in progress, getting a big push from Jarrett in the middle could really turn the tide for the defense.
Here's Pitt's press release:
Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff have selected the 2015 winners of the Ed Conway Award, annually presented to the most improved offensive and defensive players of spring drills.
The offensive recipient is junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
"Dontez has made plays consistently throughout the spring," Narduzzi said. "He is establishing himself as another playmaker for us at the receiver position."
The defensive honoree is junior tackle Tyrique Jarrett (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice/Milford [N.Y.] Academy). After playing in eight games as a reserve last season, Jarrett is vying for increased time on the interior defensive front.
"Since January, Tyrique has worked hard to become a better athlete, a better player and better conditioned," Narduzzi said. "For a defense, it all starts on the interior so we're excited about his progress."
Ford and Jarrett were honored with the Conway Award at Pitt's player family breakfast this morning at Heinz Field. The award has been annually presented since 1975 in honor of the late Ed Conway, who served as the radio play-by-play voice of Pitt football from 1970-73. A popular sports anchor with WTAE-TV, Conway passed away in 1974.
The Panthers conclude spring drills at Highmark Stadium today with the Blue-Gold Game at 1 p.m.
Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2015 Pitt football season are now on sale. Call the Pitt Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT (7488) or log on to PittsburghPanthers.com.
For the latest Pitt football news, follow the Panthers on Twitter and Instagram at @GoPittFootball.
If both continue to improve, it would be really good for Pitt. Obviously the Panthers need someone to play opposite Tyler Boyd, so even if Ford isn't a big downfield threat, just providing another option for Chad Voytik would be key. And if Jarrett can keep getting better, that would be huge; Pitt needs someone to make an impact up front, and while the ends remain a work in progress, getting a big push from Jarrett in the middle could really turn the tide for the defense.
Here's Pitt's press release:
Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff have selected the 2015 winners of the Ed Conway Award, annually presented to the most improved offensive and defensive players of spring drills.
The offensive recipient is junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
"Dontez has made plays consistently throughout the spring," Narduzzi said. "He is establishing himself as another playmaker for us at the receiver position."
The defensive honoree is junior tackle Tyrique Jarrett (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice/Milford [N.Y.] Academy). After playing in eight games as a reserve last season, Jarrett is vying for increased time on the interior defensive front.
"Since January, Tyrique has worked hard to become a better athlete, a better player and better conditioned," Narduzzi said. "For a defense, it all starts on the interior so we're excited about his progress."
Ford and Jarrett were honored with the Conway Award at Pitt's player family breakfast this morning at Heinz Field. The award has been annually presented since 1975 in honor of the late Ed Conway, who served as the radio play-by-play voice of Pitt football from 1970-73. A popular sports anchor with WTAE-TV, Conway passed away in 1974.
The Panthers conclude spring drills at Highmark Stadium today with the Blue-Gold Game at 1 p.m.
Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2015 Pitt football season are now on sale. Call the Pitt Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT (7488) or log on to PittsburghPanthers.com.
For the latest Pitt football news, follow the Panthers on Twitter and Instagram at @GoPittFootball.
