Inside The Panthers

Pitt DT Calijah Kancey Falls Short of Bronko Nagurski Trophy

He was the first Pitt Panther to be named a finalist for the award since Aaron Donald.
Stephen Thompson|
Pitt DT Calijah Kancey Falls Short of Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Pitt DT Calijah Kancey Falls Short of Bronko Nagurski Trophy

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Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey fell short of the highest award a college defender can win this week. 

The Charlotte Touchdown Club selected Alabama linebacker Will Anderson as the winner of this year's Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the best defensive player in college football. He beat out Pitt's Kancey, USC defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu and Georgia safety Chris Smith to win. 

Kancey, the 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, is all but certain not to return to Pitt for his senior season. After amassing 91 total tackles, 34.5 for a loss and 16 sacks over 33 games in three years as a Panther, he is destined to make a lot of money as an early NFL Draft pick this spring. He will not play in the bowl game either after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. Head coach Pat Narduzzi said Kancey would have played if he was healthy. 

Aaron Donald is the only other Panther to have won or been nominated for the award. The Nagurski was one of many trophies he took home following his dominant 2013 season. 

Kancey is still a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the best lineman in college football. 

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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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