The Pitt football team that takes on UCLA on December 29th in the Sun Bowl will be a quite different team than the one that walked off the field after defeating Miami, 42-16 on November 26th.
Eight Pitt players have now opted out of the game to protect against injury which might harm their chances in the NFL Draft. The latest to say he will sit out the game are running back Izzy Ibanikanda and linebacker SirVocea Dennis. Both are first-team All-ACC and join unanimous first-team All-American Calijah Kancey, who will miss the game because of shoulder surgery. Injured offensive tackle Carter Warren, who announced yesterday that he will enter the 2023 NFL Draft, will also miss the game.
Others on the sidelines for the bowl game will be defensive end Deslin Alexandre, offensive tackle Gabe Houy, and safety Brandon Hill. Quarterback Kedon Slovis and defensive end John Morgan are both I the transfer portal and won’t play either.
Safety Erick Hallett II announced on his Twitter account that he plans to enger the draft, but indicated he will play in the Sun Bowl.
Pitt got a verbal commitment from 6-5, 225-pound high school defensive end Maverick Gracio of West Palm Beach, Florida. He’s rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com.
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