Pitt Offense Seeking Bigger Role for TE Gavin Bartholomew

Gavin Bartholomew opens up so much for the Pitt Panthers on offense but they are seeking ways to get him more involved.

PITTSBURGH -- Tim Salem has added a new practice to his pregame routine this season. While the Pitt Panthers are in the locker room, getting their minds right for whatever opponent awaits them, the Pitt tight ends coach watches the star player from his unit, Gavin Bartholomew, agonize while having to kill the minutes that stand between him and kickoff. 

Twitchy hands and feet make it look like Bartholomew fears the game to come, but that could not be further from the truth. He's itching to go - Salem knows it and Bartholomew's play reflects it.

"Probably my favorite part about Gavin is watching him on gameday get nervous all the way from the morning up to gametime," Salem said. "Feet shaking, hands shaking. When he’s getting ready you can just see it, just feel it. It looks like nervousness but he’s not nervous, he’s just ready to get this thing going."

Bartholomew starred in a limited role during the 2021 season, splitting snaps with super senior starter Lucas Krull. 28 catches, 326 yards and four touchdowns later, he's an All-ACC Honorable Mention and Freshman All-American according to the Athletic and Pro Football Network. 

In his first year as a full starter, Bartholomew is once again a reliable target and punishing blocker. Returning from an arm injury that kept him out of the second half of the Rhode Island game, he played well against Georgia Tech last week - three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown in addition to some fine blocking - but Salem has continued to demand more from him. 

"He played well last week," Salem said. "I think overall, probably one of his better blocking performances. He showed pretty good toughness, caught a couple of passes but we still need more out of him.”

It's easy to see why Salem wants more from Bartholomew. He's averaging 17.1 yards per reception and is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. It seems like Bartholomew makes a big play every time he touches the ball, but the Panthers have struggled to get it to him. Of the five Pitt pass-catchers with 10 or more receptions, he has the fewest catches per game a 2.2. 

But Bartholomew is as important to Pitt's success on offense as anyone. As a receiver and blocker, he opens up so much for the Panthers when they have the ball. That means Salem has heard just about everyone - from reporters to family - suggest that Pitt should get Bartholomew involved even more. There's just too much explosive ability to ignore. 

“My wife says the same thing," Salem said. "I just like Gavin because ... he may not have the best hands, he may not run the fastest, but he’s going to find a way to catch the ball, go north-south, run some people over, break some clavicles and get a first down. ... Whether you catch one pass or 10 passes, he’s going to make the most of them.”

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