The ultimate hybrid position in football is the tight end.
They have to be able to block like an offensive tackle, run like a running back, and catch passes like a wide receiver. The top tier of the position can do all three of these well, and those considered in the upper echelon within the position can do at least two of these three things well.
Gavin Bartholomew is not a one-trick pony for the Pitt football program. He is riding a wave of expectations and is primed to be a top weapon for the Panthers offense, regardless of whether Kedon Slovis or Nick Patti is named the team's starting quarterback.
"Gavin's a hell of a player," offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. said. "When you look at tight ends you look to see, one, can they play in all three phases. Can they play in the running game, the passing game, and the protection phase. Gavin's very versatile. He can play in all three phases. You can line him up in-line, you can line him up off-the-ball, and he can create the matchups outside. We're really excited about how we're going to use Gavin this season."
Bartholomew had one solid season of learning the position at the college level under Lucas Krull, a second-team All-ACC selection who last season had 38 catches for 451 yards, and his six touchdowns were the most by a Pitt tight end since Dorin Dickerson scored 10 in 2009.
Bartholomew is now moving into the primary Y-tight end role, after serving most of last season splitting duties as a tight end and a fullback. He played in all 14 games, made eight starts, and racked up 28 catches for 326 yards and four TDs.
"He took me in like a brother," Bartholomew said of Krull. "He taught me everything I knew. I'm still reaching out to him about how (NFL) camp's going for him. Everything he taught me, I'm trying to help improve the tight ends and improve my game myself and get through camp."
He was recognized to the watch list for this season's Mackey Award, which is given annually to the best tight end in college football. He was an honorable mention All-ACC pick and was named a second team Freshman All-American by The Athletic and Pro Football Network last season.
Panthers tight ends coach Tim Salem noted Bartholomew's numbers in the weight room are up, and that his offseason work has shown in fall camp.
"He's a big, strong rascal that likes to play," Salem said. "You've got guys that have good size, like to play, and usually good things happen. ... He just likes to put his helmet on and hit people."
Bartholomew will shoulder the load in a tight ends room that contains upside, even with Krull moving on to NFL training camp with the New Orleans Saints.
He said he is looking forward to playing with either Patti or Slovis as his quarterback.
"I feel like they're both pretty similar," he said. "They're both great quarterbacks. Either one of them that gets it, they're going to do a great job. I love them both. They're both great."
Returning alongside Bartholomew are redshirt junior Kyi Wright and redshirt freshmen Cole Mitchell and Jake Renda.
Three transfers are adding intrigue, as well: Junior Karter Johnson, redshirt junior Dylan Deveney, and redshirt freshman Trevor Faulkner.
Wright missed nine games last season with an injury, and Mitchell and Renda did not play last season. Johnson originally committed to Texas Christian University in 2019 as a defensive lineman, but converted to tight end upon transferring to Butler Community College in Kansas. In two seasons, he caught 22 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.
Deveney played in 22 games in three seasons at Georgia Tech. He had 14 catches for 102 yards and a TD. Faulkner joined as a walk-on from Air Force, where he redshirted.
Pat Narduzzi said Wright is back working in drills, and he offered some insight into what Wright's role could be as the veteran in the room.
"Kyi's done a nice job so far," Narduzzi said. "It's good to have him back off a postseason issue he had. He missed spring ball, but he's out there. Did a little 7-on-7. How he blocks -- we know he can run down the field, we know he can make plays in the pass game."
Narduzzi singled out Johnson as a player that has already made his presence felt in the room, and that Deveney is one to watch for in development.
"Karter's going to push (Wright), as well," Narduzzi said. "There's some competition in there. Karter Johnson's a good football player, and we're excited about where he is. Deveney's going to be a guy, as well, that we'll see down the road where he is, but I think he's going to help us, too."
