Quadree Henderson, Dorian Johnson and Ejuan Price are recognized among the nation’s finest.
PITTSBURGH—Three Pitt standouts—sophomore all-purpose player Quadree Henderson, senior offensive guard Dorian Johnson and senior defensive end Ejuan Price—have been named to multiple All-America squads announced this week.
Henderson (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. du Pont) has been named a first team All-American as a kick returner by four different selectors to date. In the last 24 hours he was honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, SI.com and USA TODAY. Earlier this week, Henderson was named to the Sporting News All-America team.
Henderson is the first All-America return man in Pitt history. He has four returns for touchdowns this season, including a nation-leading three on kickoffs. Henderson ranks second in the country in combined kick return yards (1,121) and fifth in kickoff return average (31.1).
Henderson is also among the country’s top all-purpose players, ranking 11th with an average of 159.75 per game. He has compiled 1,917 all-purpose yards, the fifth highest total in Pitt history. If Henderson hits his average in the bowl game, he will become only the second Pitt player to reach 2,000 all-purpose yards in a season. Legendary tailback Tony Dorsett, who had 2,217 all-purpose yards during his 1976 Heisman Trophy season, is the only Pitt player to reach that milestone.
Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area) was a first-team selection by SI.com and Sporting News. He was a second-team pick by Walter Camp. Johnson becomes the first Pitt offensive lineman to be selected a first team All-American in 22 years.
Johnson was a vital contributor to the highest scoring offense in Pitt history. The Panthers have compiled a record 508 points this season and boast the nation’s No. 10 scoring offense at 42.3 points per game. Johnson did not surrender a single sack this year. He was also integral for a Pitt ground attack that produced 35 touchdowns, the fourth most among Power 5 teams.
Price (Rankin, Pa./Woodland Hills) was named a second team All-American by USA TODAY and Walter Camp. He is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in college football. Price leads the nation in tackles for loss (1.8 per game) and ranks sixth in sacks (1.0 per game).
Incredibly, half of Price’s 42 tackles this season have been behind the line of scrimmage. He has compiled 21 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 13 QB hurries, three forced fumbles and a blocked extra point.
Price’s 12 sacks this season are the most by a Pitt player in 25 years. He has 28.5 sacks for his career, which ranks fifth all-time in school annals.
Pitt will face Northwestern in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on December 28 in New York City. The game, played at iconic Yankee Stadium, will kick off at 2 p.m., and be nationally televised by ESPN.
The Panthers enter the postseason with an 8-4 record and boasting Top 25 rankings in the Associated Press poll (No. 22) and College Football Playoff ratings (No. 23).
