Mumpfield's hard work, 'pro' mentality pay off in career day

Everyone always likes shiny new toys and through the first two games of Pitt's 2024 season, the conversation has focused on Pitt's new high-tempo offense and its new additions as Desmond Reid and Eli Holstein have shared the spotlight in the Panthers' first two games. However, Konata Mumpfield, a consistent performer over the last two seasons, has been quietly going about his business and has been putting up career numbers in the process. 

Just this past week, Mumpfield played a crucial role in Pitt's 21-point comeback against Cincinnati catching five passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He was named the ACC Wide Receiver of the Week for his performance and two of his catches came in two of the biggest moments of the game.

The first came with six seconds left in the first half and the Panthers trailing by 14 points. After Reid caught a short pass from Holstein and took it for a 20-yard gain, the Panthers called a timeout and got set to try and move the offense even further up the field for a field goal. Holstein snapped the ball, scrambled and found Mumpfield crossing across the middle of the field for a shoe-string catch to set Ben Sauls up for a 53-yard field goal, the longest of his career.

Just watch:

Then, at the end of the game, with the Panthers trailing by two points, Holstein extended another play with his legs, giving Mumpfield time to break away from the Cincinnati defense, find an opening near the sideline and catch a 34-yard pass. Sauls' 35-yard game-winner happened four plays later.

For your viewing purposes:

Outside of a few plays, including Mumpfield's two touchdowns, those two catches played a crucial role in Pitt's comeback and came to fruition because of the work that Mumpfield puts in on his own and with his teammates.

"We worked hard in practice and me and Eli, we made sure after practice to stay back and work on a couple throws just to get the timing, rhythm down, connection down," Mumpfield said. "That’s really what it was, trusting the game plan, trusting the routes, technique, training. That’s how it worked out."

Mumpfield said that he and Holstein have been doing that type of work since before the first game of the season, but it's also just a shred of what Mumpfield does consistently to keep his body and mind right. It's what contributed to him being named a team captain by his teammates and also what has earned him Pat Narduzzi's respect over the past three years because while Mumpfield isn't necessarily a vocal leader like Brandon George, he leads by example. 

"I've said this all camp, guys, that guy has been as durable, as reliable, as anybody in that room," Narduzzi said. "He's done it the right way. He works at it."

Mumpfield came to Pitt in 2022 after playing one year at Akron where he started in all 12 games and led the team in receptions (53), receiving yards (751) and touchdown catches (8). He also compiled three 100-yard games. But even he himself admitted that when he was at Akron, he only focused on playing football and never really concerned himself with taking care of his body or putting in the extra work outside of practice.

That all changed two years ago when Mumpfield called a meeting with Narduzzi and told him that he needed to start doing what was necessary to make it to the NFL. From that point on, Mumpfield started developing a routine. It started with taking care of his body. He says he gets to the facility early to utilize the hot and cold tubs and get stretched out and worked on by trainers when necessary. Then, before team meetings, he'll warm up his eyes by doing tennis ball drills with Pitt's director of college scouting, Alex Kline.

Mumpfield also watches film with Kline on Tuesdays and then puts in extra work after practice, going through footwork drills or ball drills to continue to hone his craft as much as possible. For the senior wide receiver, it's just about staying ready and putting himself in the best position possible.

"Something I pray about is I want to pay a long time in the league, I want to be a hall of fame and with that you have to take care of your body," Mumpfield said. "Being in this position, at Pitt, J Wayne (Jared Wayne), really taught me this, he was a professional here. It's just very physical at Pitt. In camp, in the spring, you're going to get nicked up, you're gonna get bruised, so in order to be your best and continue to be your best you have to make sure your body is right and your mental is right." 

Over the last two seasons, Mumpfield has been as consistent as they come. He led the team in receptions (44) last season and recorded the second-most receiving yards (576) and touchdowns (5) behind Bub Means. During the 2022 season, he caught two or more passes in every game he played in but only caught one touchdown pass. This season could be even more of a coming out party for Mumpfield.

His performance on Saturday was his first 100-yard performance since his freshman season at Akron and he's caught three touchdown passes in two games to start the season. In Kade Bell's new offense, one of Pitt's hardest workers is starting to see the fruits of his labor, and that's all he could ask for.

"It definitely feels good to get that landmark again, just having that feeling, for sure," Mumpfield said. "I’m excited about what Kade has us doing, he has a lot of good things in the playbook, he’s very intelligent, he knows what he’s doing, very savvy. So, I’m just trusting the game plan, just going out there practicing hard, playing hard and everything will fall in place."