Press release from Pitt:
Pitt Places Eight on All-ACC Academic Football Team
LINK: All-ACC Academic Football
PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh placed eight student-athletes on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Football Team announced today. The Panthers’ eight honorees this year rank second among the ACC’s 14 football schools and tie a program record previously set in 2014.
Pitt’s 2017 All-ACC Academic Football Team honorees are junior wide receiver Rafael Araujo-Lopes, junior offensive lineman Alex Bookser, sophomore linebacker Saleem Brightwell, graduate tight end Matt Flanagan, junior linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu, redshirt freshman center Jimmy Morrissey, junior offensive lineman Brian O’Neill and graduate punter Ryan Winslow.
In Pat Narduzzi’s three seasons as head coach, Pitt has 19 All-ACC Academic Football Team honorees, the second highest total among conference schools during that span.
To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned at least a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a minimum 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the team.
“These eight young men represent what we strive for every day at Pitt: to be achievers in the classroom and on the playing field,” Narduzzi said. “I’m both ecstatic and incredibly proud to have such great Pitt representation on the All-ACC Academic Football Team. We are committed to building our program the right way and it all starts with a strong academic foundation that leads to graduation from this world-class university.”
Araujo-Lopes (Kissimmee, Fla./Winter Park/Reedley College) led Pitt in receptions this past season, compiling 43 catches for 531 yards (12.3 avg.) and two touchdowns. He is a public service major.
Bookser (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) was honored on the All-ACC Academic Football Team for the second time. An integral starter on the Panthers’ offensive front, he has twice received Honorable Mention All-ACC from the league’s coaches. Bookser is a communication major.
Brightwell (Paterson, N.J./Paramus Catholic) started all 12 games at middle linebacker this past season and finished second on the team with 73 tackles. He is a media and professional communications major.
Flanagan (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) enrolled in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business following his 2017 transfer from Rutgers. He immediately seized a starting role at tight end and totaled 17 receptions for 160 yards (9.4 avg.) on the season.
A two-year starter at Star linebacker, Idowu (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) paced Pitt’s defense last season in tackles (94), TFLs (11.5) and sacks (five). He was a second-team All-ACC selection by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA). Idowu is a health and physical activity major.
Morrissey (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) started all 12 games at center in his first active season at Pitt. Initially joining the Panthers as a walk-on, he earned a scholarship prior to the 2017 campaign. Morrissey is a finance and marketing major.
Considered one of the 2018 NFL Draft’s top prospects, O’Neill (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum School) made 37 consecutive starts on Pitt’s offensive line. This past season he was named a first-team All-ACC tackle by the Associated Press and league coaches. O’Neill majored in finance at Pitt.
Winslow (Maple Glen, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) was a unanimous first-team All-ACC selection at punter after leading the league with a 44.5-yard average. He finished his career as a four-year starter. Winslow graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and is pursuing his MBA in Pitt’s Katz Graduate School of Business.
Pitt Places Eight on All-ACC Academic Football Team
LINK: All-ACC Academic Football
PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh placed eight student-athletes on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Football Team announced today. The Panthers’ eight honorees this year rank second among the ACC’s 14 football schools and tie a program record previously set in 2014.
Pitt’s 2017 All-ACC Academic Football Team honorees are junior wide receiver Rafael Araujo-Lopes, junior offensive lineman Alex Bookser, sophomore linebacker Saleem Brightwell, graduate tight end Matt Flanagan, junior linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu, redshirt freshman center Jimmy Morrissey, junior offensive lineman Brian O’Neill and graduate punter Ryan Winslow.
In Pat Narduzzi’s three seasons as head coach, Pitt has 19 All-ACC Academic Football Team honorees, the second highest total among conference schools during that span.
To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned at least a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a minimum 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the team.
“These eight young men represent what we strive for every day at Pitt: to be achievers in the classroom and on the playing field,” Narduzzi said. “I’m both ecstatic and incredibly proud to have such great Pitt representation on the All-ACC Academic Football Team. We are committed to building our program the right way and it all starts with a strong academic foundation that leads to graduation from this world-class university.”
Araujo-Lopes (Kissimmee, Fla./Winter Park/Reedley College) led Pitt in receptions this past season, compiling 43 catches for 531 yards (12.3 avg.) and two touchdowns. He is a public service major.
Bookser (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) was honored on the All-ACC Academic Football Team for the second time. An integral starter on the Panthers’ offensive front, he has twice received Honorable Mention All-ACC from the league’s coaches. Bookser is a communication major.
Brightwell (Paterson, N.J./Paramus Catholic) started all 12 games at middle linebacker this past season and finished second on the team with 73 tackles. He is a media and professional communications major.
Flanagan (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) enrolled in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business following his 2017 transfer from Rutgers. He immediately seized a starting role at tight end and totaled 17 receptions for 160 yards (9.4 avg.) on the season.
A two-year starter at Star linebacker, Idowu (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) paced Pitt’s defense last season in tackles (94), TFLs (11.5) and sacks (five). He was a second-team All-ACC selection by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA). Idowu is a health and physical activity major.
Morrissey (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) started all 12 games at center in his first active season at Pitt. Initially joining the Panthers as a walk-on, he earned a scholarship prior to the 2017 campaign. Morrissey is a finance and marketing major.
Considered one of the 2018 NFL Draft’s top prospects, O’Neill (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum School) made 37 consecutive starts on Pitt’s offensive line. This past season he was named a first-team All-ACC tackle by the Associated Press and league coaches. O’Neill majored in finance at Pitt.
Winslow (Maple Glen, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) was a unanimous first-team All-ACC selection at punter after leading the league with a 44.5-yard average. He finished his career as a four-year starter. Winslow graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and is pursuing his MBA in Pitt’s Katz Graduate School of Business.
