Inside The Panthers

Calijah Kancey Earns Defensive Rookie Of The Year Consideration

Former Pitt Panthers star Calijah Kancey was a candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Stephen Thompson|
Calijah Kancey Earns Defensive Rookie Of The Year Consideration
Calijah Kancey Earns Defensive Rookie Of The Year Consideration

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Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers superstar Calijah Kancey played through injuries in 2023 but was still one of the best defenders in his rookie class this season. 

Kancey, the Bucaneers' 19th overall pick out of Pitt, earned one third place vote, making him the 10th place finisher in overall Defensive Rookie of the Year voting for the 2023 season. 

Kancey played through an injury-stunted rookie campaign after being selected 19th overall by Tampa Bay in last spring's draft. He still racked up 26 total tackles, 10 for a loss, 12 quarterback hits, four sacks and a pass defended in just 14 games.

He was excellent in the playoffs as well, recording six total tackles, including two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass defended in two games. Kancey recorded his first solo sack this weekend when he wrecked unsuspecting Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

The Buccaneers see great things in Kancey, who earned a starting job coming out of training camp. And as their roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball, continues to age, Kancey represents one of the figures who will lead them into the future. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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