Pitt football is still going strong even after its loss in the Peach Bowl.
After already getting a top target in the Transfer Portal to sign in USC quarterback Kedon Slovis, Pat Narduzzi's program recruited one of the better receivers in the Transfer Portal to also join the program in Akron's Konata Mumpfield, who announced on Twitter he signed with Pitt Sunday:
I can’t do nothing but give glory to my lord and savior🙏🏿.
— Konata B Mumpfield (@konata_b) January 2, 2022
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,⁰and do not lean on your own understanding.⁰In all your ways acknowledge him,⁰and he will make straight your paths.”⁰-Proverbs 3:5-6 #H2P pic.twitter.com/ooCoUg34jw
Mumpfield was a freshman All-American and made Second Team All-MAC with his numbers as a true freshman for the Zips in 2021. He finished the season ranking high in multiple MAC receiving stats with 63 catches (8th) for 751 yards (12th) and eight touchdown receptions (5th).
The 6-foot-1, 178 lb. receiver earned the reputation of a sharp route runner in the MAC, often beating opponents with double moves to get into open space and make easier passing windows for his quarterback. Mumpfield demonstrated not only an understanding detail of his route tree, but how to use different routes to set up cornerbacks
Konata (Kah-Nah-Tay) Mumpfield is going to have a very bright future if he's running routes like this as a true freshman.
— Felix Sharpe (@sharpereview) November 24, 2021
Should be rostered in 100% of @campus2canton leagues. pic.twitter.com/K9ZZSOdVs7
And it wasn't just flashy plays that made highlight tapes for Mumpfield, either. Pro Football Focus had him rated to have the second-best separation percentage in getting open against single coverage in the country. The only player who rated higher than him was Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who exploded in Saturday's Rose Bowl for 15 receptions, a Rose Bowl record, 347 receiving yards, an all-time FBS bowl record, and three touchdown receptions, another Rose Bowl record.
Highest separation % vs single coverage in 2021:
— Anthony Treash (@PFF_Anthony) January 2, 2022
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
2. Konata Mumpfield, Akron (now Pitt)
really big addition for Pitt, who also added QB Kedon Slovis from the portal. exceptional route-runner that will form a great duo with Jordan Addison https://t.co/6MLdQWzT1x
The move adds another talented receiver in an already packed room for Pitt's offense. Even with the departure of Shocky Jacques-Louise through the Transfer Portal Friday, Pitt retains the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner in Jordan Addison, the tall and physical Jared Wayne who caught a touchdown pass in the Peach Bowl, the return of speedster Jaylon Barden, and promising tall freshman receiver Jalen Bradley.
Pitt now has two former freshman All-American receivers on its roster in Addison and Mumpfield to go along with that full receiver room, an experienced running back room with three returning key contributors in Israel Abanikanda, Vincent Davis and Rodney Hammond II, promising freshman tight end Gavin Bartholomew, and the full offensive line returning.
That's a lot of weapons for a Pitt offense next season that's still looking for an offensive coordinator after Mark Whipple's departure, and a new receivers coach after Brennan Marion left for Texas Friday. Even though Tim Salem took over in the interim for the Peach Bowl, there's been no indication that he would be the long term answer there despite his being Pitt's tight end coach for the entirety of Narduzzi's tenure at Pitt.
Sure seems like for both coaching positions, Pitt would be a top destination for any candidates with all the weapons on that roster.
