ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL KICKOFF

July 21, 2021

Kenny Pickett

Pitt Panthers

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Kenny.

Q. I've heard Mark Richt talk repeatedly about you ruining his perfect season in 2017. That was a long time ago. You had many years to develop as a quarterback. Describe the differences in the Kenny we see this year versus the one that took the field in 2017.

KENNY PICKETT: Yeah, I would say there's a lot of differences. I was just a kid then, 18-year-old kid coming out of high school. Had my first throw against the No. 2 team in the country. With minimum experience going into it.

I think going into my fifth-year now, having a lot of experience, I'm excited to lead this time one more time.

Q. Year five, why come back?

KENNY PICKETT: I think a lot went into it. The draft projections, talk with my coaches, Coach Narduzzi, Coach Whipple, seeing the team coming back. I think there's an opportunity for this team to have a really special year. I'm.

Right where I want to be. When I made the decision, I told myself I'd be all in on it. I'm all in on it and ready to go.

Q. Talk about your NIL deal, making sure your big guys got fed, talk about why it was important to be associated with that?

KENNY PICKETT: That was very important. That was something that started back in my high school, actually a tradition in my high school. Carried it into college. Can only do one a season, not getting paid as much. Obviously now have an opportunity to take all six linemen, have an extra guy go in. We can do that once a week throughout the entire season. That was obviously very important for me to get done first.

Q. You have five fourth quarter comebacks, the most by a Pitt QB in 50 years.

KENNY PICKETT: Practice. We do two-minute drill a bunch throughout camp, throughout spring, just repetitions. I have a really good feel for how Coach Whipple is going to call two minute. I understand the flow of the game, how it's supposed to go. He handles the timeouts. I'm focused about moving the chains, getting positive plays. I would just say repetitions, practice, continuity with the guys.

Q. Could you tell me about the process leading up to the logo released earlier this week, how you feel about that, plans for going forward as you bolster your brand?

KENNY PICKETT: That was just something small that I wanted to do, really just to have throughout the season, have some fun with it. Really just a small thing.

But I'm focused on this season. Like I said, it feels like everybody in here -- going into my 15th year so have a lot of experience coming back, and I'm excited for my last one.

Q. You have the seniority over your teammates here. You built some pretty good rep. You're probably the only one I'll ask this question of over the next two days. I'm going to put you on the spot. What is it like playing for your head coach?

KENNY PICKETT: We have a really special relationship. I think it just builds over time. He has a lot of trust in me, I have all the trust in the world in him. He's obviously one of the main reasons I came back. If it wasn't like that, I don't think I'd be here right now.

Excited to have one more run with him and give it everything I've got this season.

Q. Nationally do you feel that you have the spotlight that you think you deserve? Where has your game improved the most?

KENNY PICKETT: I'm not too concerned about the spotlight nationally, handling the media and everything. That kind of handles itself. I'm focused on having a great year.

What was the second question?

Q. (No microphone.)

KENNY PICKETT: Really just pocket awareness is something I worked on big, pocket movement, operating from the pocket. I feel like I can do a pretty good job on the run and getting out of trouble when I need to. Obviously taking the next step inside the pocket, making throws, being more consistent.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.