Pitt football recognizes 76 first-team All-American selections in its history. The first (center Robert Peck) came in 1914. The most recent (kick returner Quadree Henderson, guard Dorian Johnson) were in 2016.
In between are some of the game's all-time greats. There's wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (2003), offensive tackle Bill Fralic (1982-84), quarterback Dan Marino (1981), running back Tony Dorsett (1973-76) and end Mike Ditka (1960) among the many.
What the list is lacking is an abundance of linebackers. Go ahead, give it a look. There's only six, but they certainly are worthy selections.
The first was Joe Schmidt, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, in 1952. The next -- former walk-on Sal Sunseri -- came in 1981, followed by Ezekial Gadson, whose only year as a full-time starter was memorable. He had 24.5 sacks and 137 tackles in 1987. Before becoming the Steelers inside linebackers coach, Jerry Olsavsky put together three consecutive seasons of 100-plus tackles at Pitt, culminating with All-American honors in 1988.
H.B. Blades ranks as one of the surest tacklers in Pitt history, racking up 433 in his career, including a whopping 147 (86 solo) with 10.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and two blocked field goals as a senior in 2006. It earned him Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors and first-team All-American status.
These stars are moving on in the #PittPlayerBracket
H.B. Blades • LB • 2003-06
Aaron Donald • DL • 2010-13
Q. Henderson • WR/KR •2015-17
Bill Maas • DL • 1981-83#H2P pic.twitter.com/DfHI2JEpRe
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) April 3, 2020
Top Returning ACC Linebackers in Pass Rush Productivity:
1. Cam Bright (Pitt)
2. Chazz Surratt (North Carolina)
3. Rayshard Ashby (Virginia Tech)
4. Ryan Smenda Jr. (Wake Forest)
5. Dorian Etheridge (Louisville)
6. Ja'Cquez Williams (Wake Forest)
7. John Lamot (Boston College)
— Average Conference Content (@ACContent__) May 11, 2020
❌BLOCKED PUNT❌
Pitt is stunning 15th-ranked UCF 21-0 in the 2nd Quarter...
Wendell Davis scoops it up to finish the job!pic.twitter.com/OAG75GG5Hv
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) September 21, 2019
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Pitt signee Leslie Smith got his mom to suit up with him.
?: @Hvmble6 pic.twitter.com/TYcL2xWApf
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 15, 2019
