Calijah Kancey named preseason All-American

Pitt defensive lineman Calijah Kancey was named a preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Thursday morning. The defensive lineman was one of 50 players selected, with 25 players on the first team and 25 players on the second team. Kancey earned placement on the second team and was Pitt’s only representative.

All told, Walter Camp’s preseason All-America teams feature players from 29 different schools and eight different conferences. The Power Five conferences were well represented, and the SEC led the way with 16 selections. The Big 12 had nine, the Big Ten had eight, the Pac-12 had four and the ACC had seven.

The ACC’s seven selections included four first-teamers and three second-teamers. Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Breese, Clemson receiver Justyn Ross, North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and Miami punter Lou Hedley were placed on the first team. Clemson offensive lineman Jordan McFadden and Clemson defensive lineman Myles Murphy made the second team with Kancey.

Last season, Kancey played in 11 games and started four as a redshirt freshman. And in that span, he came up with 1.5 sacks, seven tackles for losses, 27 tackles and two pass breakups. For his efforts, the former Miami Northwestern High School star earned freshman All-America honors from the Athletic, Rivals and the Football Writers Association of America.

In 2021, with the Pitt defensive line in transition after featuring future NFL draft picks Patrick Jones II, Jaylen Twyman and Rashad Weaver for several years, Kancey will look to take his game to the next level and usher in a new era of dominance. And if he succeeds, it appears postseason honors could await him again.