Pitt football notebook: Phil Jurkovec on another preseason award watch list

Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec, a Pine-Richland grad, is among the preseason candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

It marks the second award to recognize Jurkovec as a preseason candidate. The Unitas Award is presented annually to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with his class.

In July, Jurkovec, a fifth-year senior transfer from Boston College, was named for a second consecutive year to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented to the Division I player of the year.

Jurkovec also was cited as a candidate for the Maxwell Award in 2022 while at Boston College.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Jurkovec, who joined Pitt as a mid-year graduate transfer from Boston College with one season of immediate eligibility remaining, is a favorite to open the season as the Panthers starting quarterback ahead of redshirt sophomores Christian Veilleux, a Penn State transfer, and Nate Yarnell.

“Phil has separated himself, for sure,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “He’s completed 72% of the team’s reps throughout camp. He’s done a nice job. Those other two will continue to compete.”

Other Pitt players in the running for national awards are cornerback/punt returner M.J. Devonshire (Aliquippa), Bednarik Award as top defensive player and Paul Hornung Award as most versatile player; Rodney Hammond Jr., Doak Walker Award as top running back; Gavin Bartholomew, John Mackey Award as top tight end; Ben Sauls, Lou Groza Award as top kicker; offensive tackle Matt Goncalves, Outland Trophy as top interior lineman; Jake Kradel (Butler), Rimington Trophy as top center; and Bartholomew and defensive tackle David Green (Central Catholic), Wuerffel Trophy for community service.

Walk-on Lapi rewarded

Linebacker Nick Lapi, a walk-on who played in all 13 games last season, mainly on special teams, was awarded an athletic scholarship by Pitt for his redshirt sophomore year.

“You’re going to see him on defense, playing linebacker,” Narduzzi said. “He can play probably any position because he’s tough.”

Lapi, from Allendale (N.J.) Northern Highlands Regional High School, was recognized last season as a member of the all-ACC Academic Football Team. He also made a big impression on another Pitt linebacker from his home state.

“That’s my boy, Lapi. He’s from Jersey,” said redshirt freshman Kyle Louis, from East Orange Campus. “I remember I came on my official visit, and he’s the first linebacker I talked to. He said, ‘You’re from Jersey, right?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘I’m from Jersey, too.’ Automatically, we just clicked.”

Louis is a fan of Lapi’s for more than that, though.

“I’ve been seeing him doing his thing,” Louis said. “I always felt like he was one of the best linebackers, most proficient linebackers. He more than deserved it for a long time. I’m proud of him for getting it.”

Lapi took the news in stride.

“Nothing is going to change,” he said. “Don’t get too high. Don’t get too low.”

Just run hard

Former Gateway star Derrick Davis Jr. took another step forward at Pitt’s second scrimmage Saturday but had Narduzzi scratching his head in the process.

The LSU transfer, a running back in high school who began his college career at safety before reverting to the backfield, is entering is redshirt sophomore season at Pitt.

“He had a nice scrimmage the other day,” Narduzzi said. “He’s a big back (6-0, 210), and he needs to hit it up in there. Sometimes, he’s looking for that touchdown and trying to make big plays, but I say, ‘Just get the 3 or 4 yards they’re giving you.’ ”

Speed it up

As one of the WPIAL’s most dynamic playmakers as a quarterback and defensive back at Steel Valley, Cruce Brookins’ talents were sought after by multiple Division I schools.

He is happy to have chosen Pitt.

“Coming from this city, I know there are lot of talented DBs that came from Pitt. I take a lot of pride coming from here.”

The 6-2, 180-pound freshman, who led Steel Valley to a 12-1 record and a WPIAL Class 2A championship in 2022, was rated Pennsylvania’s No. 11 overall prospect by 247Sports and No. 24 by Rivals after finishing his senior year with 2,336 yards of total offense (1,625 rushing, 711 passing) and 41 touchdowns (33 rushing, 7 passing, 1 punt return).

He also logged six interceptions on defense.

“I’ve had to learn so much more here (than in high school), but I’ve been adjusting,” said Brookins, who is working out at safety. “It’s going good, I’ve got a lot of older guys to help me learn it, so it’s been good.”

Asked for his opinion on an aspect of the college game that stands out, Brookins had a predictable answer: speed.

“It’s definitely a lot different than high school,” he said. “Guys are a lot faster. Every receiver is fast. It’s a lot different.”