PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh Chris Bickell ’97 Head Football Coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff have selected the 2024 winners of the Ed Conway Award, presented to the most improved players of spring drills.
Sophomore guard BJ Williams is the offensive recipient, while redshirt freshman safety Cruce Brookins is the defensive honoree.
Williams (Lawrenceville, Ga./Creekside) made immediate contributions as a freshman, playing in nine games and starting six at right guard. He became the first true freshman to start on the Panthers’ offensive line since Dorian Johnson in 2013. Williams additionally earned All-ACC Academic Football Team honors in his debut season.
“BJ is no longer a rookie on our offensive line and he carried himself like a veteran this spring,” Narduzzi said. “He is asserting himself as a leader, both by his play on the field and in our meeting room. We are really excited about the jump he took this spring and look forward to his continued progress come training camp.”
Brookins (Pittsburgh, Pa./Steel Valley) played in two games last year (Florida State and Syracuse), preserving a freshman redshirt. As a senior quarterback and defensive back at Steel Valley High School, he was one of the WPIAL’s most dynamic playmakers and earned Pennsylvania Football Writers All-Class 2A honors.
“We knew Cruce was a football player when we signed him out of Steel Valley,” Narduzzi said. “He loves everything about the game, including the preparation part of it. Cruce made a great impression on both his teammates and coaches this spring. We know he will be an asset for us this season.”
The Conway Award has been presented since 1975 in honor of the late Ed Conway, who served as the radio play-by-play voice of Pitt football from 1970-73. A popular sports anchor with WTAE-TV, Conway passed away in 1974.
Source/Image: R.J. Sepich/Pitt Athletics