Pitt Lands Ex-USC QB Kedon Slovis From Transfer Portal
With quarterback Kenny Pickett off to the NFL, it was fair to question how Pitt and head coach Pat Narduzzi would build upon the program's most successful season since 2009.
The answer? Reload.
Ex-USC junior quarterback Kedon Slovis announced Tuesday that he's transferring to Pitt. Slovis penned an article in The Players' Tribune, giving a goodbye to the USC faithful.
"USC will always be a special place to me. But now it’s time for me to start a new chapter. For my next two years of eligibility, I’ll be playing quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh," Slovis wrote. I was so excited when Coach Narduzzi called, because I knew that Pitt and this program were the right fit for me to keep developing into the best leader I can be.
"I’m ready to win now — and talking to the players who are returning, and seeing how hungry they are for next season, that got me pumped. They have a lot of talented players coming back. And, man … getting to throw the ball to the guy who just won the Biletnikoff?? That’s something you don’t pass up. The culture and identity that Coach Narduzzi has created is everything I want to be a part of.
"To everyone at USC including my coaches, teammates and the entire staff: Thank you for everything. I’m glad I was a Trojan. I’ll always be one."
Slovis entered the transfer portal on Dec. 13, coming on the heels of Lincoln Riley taking the head coaching position at USC. The writing was immediately on the wall for Slovis, who drew great interest on college football's open market.
After a brilliant freshman season in 2019, where he completed 71.9% of his passes for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions, Slovis became a trendy pick for the Heisman Trophy in 2020. Instead, his play dipped and Slovis only suited up under center in six games. 2021 was even more of a rough go for Slovis, posting a career-low 132.7 passer rating.
His three-season USC tenure ends with a 16-10 record, completing 68.4% of his passes for 7,576 yards, 58 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
Per 247Sports, Slovis was the No. 6 quarterback in the transfer portal, No. 21 overall. Slovis will be tasked with replicating the Panthers' success in 2021.
"And to everyone at Pitt: I’m feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a Panther — and I can’t wait to prove myself again on this stage," Slovis wrote. "Let’s go win some football games."
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