Both players were first-team All-America selections.
PITTSBURGH—Pitt football’s rich tradition of All-America players added two new names this week with the unveiling of the 2016 Sporting News All-America Team.
Senior offensive guard Dorian Johnson and sophomore return specialist Quadree Henderson were named first team All-Americans by the venerable sports publication.
Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area) becomes the first Pitt offensive lineman to be selected a first team All-American in 22 years. College Football Hall of Famer Ruben Brown was the last Panther to achieve that designation back in 1994.
Athletic and physically punishing, 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.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound 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.
Henderson (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. du Pont) 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).
Over his past 14 games, Henderson has six kickoff returns that have gone for more than 80 yards, including two 100-yard touchdowns.
Henderson is also among the country’s top all-purpose players, ranking 11th with an average of 159.75 yards 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.