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Jersey Native Pickett a Finalist for Heisman, Possible Top QB in 2022 NFL Draft

Author Michael Cohen
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Heinz Field on November 11, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

New Jersey native Kenny Pickett is looking to make a little history this weekend. The Oakhurst, New Jersey native, who played high school football at Ocean Township High school is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy following a stellar senior year at the University of Pittsburgh.

Should he win it, Pickett would be the fourth native of the Garden State to win the award, and first since Ron Dayne did it in 1999 according to NJ.com.

Pickett figures to have some stiff competition for the award with Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud also competing for college football’s top individual award.

Ironically, Pittsburgh didn’t garner much national recognition this season, despite their 11-2 record, but they were one of the better teams out of ACC, and will face Michigan State in the Peach Bowl later this month. At that time more people will get a chance to look at Pickett, who shattered Dan Marino’s career touchdown record at Pitt. He also set the ACC record for touchdown passes in a single season with 42, breaking the mark previously held by Deshuan Watson.

In short, when a player’s name gets thrown in there with an NFL legend in Marino, and a once promising NFL superstar like Watson, his draft stock is going to rise.

According to Pro Football Focus, Pickett could land with the Houston Texans as a replacement for Watson, who is still in the middle of a lengthy legal battle over sexual harassment allegations.

As per usual there figures to be a lot of teams at top the NFL Draft board looking to hit a home run at quarterback. The Detroit Lions, Texans, and New York Giants all come to mind.

Is Daniel Jones the long term answer for Big Blue? If not, and Pickett falls to them, the Giants could use one of their two first rounders on a new franchise QB.

 

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.

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Author Michael Cohen
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