Dan Marino is the Pitt quarterback anyone would pick to represent the program.
That's an easy pick even if Marino is more than 2400 passing yards short of the program's leading Alex Van Pelt with 10,913 passing yards. But Pickett passed Rod Rutherford's 6,724 passing yards to fifth all-time until Pickett passed him in 2020. And looking at recent quarterbacks, it's reasonable to ask where Pickett ranks in this modern era of college football.
Pickett currently ranks fifth all-time with 7,984 passing yards over four seasons. But ahead of him is Tyler Palko with 8,343 passing yards, Tino Sunseri 8,590 passing yards, before Marino's second place standing at 8.597.
But Pickett has been a different kind of leader in recent years. When he took over in 2017, Pitt's offense was expected to flourish. Then in 2019 Pickett had to adjust to a new offensive coordinator in Mark Whipple. Whipple didn't break from his directive to have a quarterbacks run more, but it's certainly something to consider.
Pickett has 568 career rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as a rusher or receiver. The only quarterback in the last two decades to match his mobility is Rutherford, but there's no denying how far Pickett has come in recent years.
He also gets a break in Pitt history with an unprecedented extra year for the Panthers after COVID-19 forced the NCAA to grant an eligibility waiver to those who wanted it. But even after four seasons with only a few games starting as a freshman after earning the starting spot in 2017, he gets another chance to play a full season in 2021.
After skipping the 2021 NFL Draft, Pickett has a chance to lead the Panthers to their first ACC title. Now he commands an offense with an All-ACC freshman receiver in Jordan Addison, several veterans like Taysir Mack, and a running game with a battle between Israel Abanikanda and Vincent Davis.
He will prove the be the best quarterback in the past 20 years after this season.
YOUR TURN: Where does Pickett rank among Pitt quarterbacks?
