Pitt’s wide receiver depth will take a hit this year with the loss of redshirt sophomore Tre Tipton to a season-ending injury.
Tipton has a “non-football knee injury” and will miss all of 2017, the school announced Monday. It’s yet another unfortunate twist of fate for Tipton, who played in four games his freshman year until hurting his knee in practice and redshirting. He got back on the field last season, playing in nine games with one start, but had another injury end his season Week 10 at Miami.
“I know I speak for the entire team in saying we are all disappointed for Tre,” coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement.
Last season, Tipton caught 12 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. He had two receptions for 51 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown, in April’s spring game.
An Apollo-Ridge High School graduate and the Post-Gazette’s co-male athlete of the year in 2015, Tipton has a reputation as one of the most happy-go-lucky players on the team despite a string of bad luck so far in his college career.
“He is an absolutely outstanding young man and teammate,” Narduzzi said. “Even though he is unable to play this fall, we know Tre is going to be an invaluable figure in our wide receivers room while he rehabs. That’s the type of person and competitor he is, and he’ll have our fullest support as he works for a full recovery.”
That wide receivers room still has its studs but suddenly seems much thinner. Senior Jester Weah and junior Quadree Henderson still figure to be the go-to guys, but the loss of Tipton could mean a larger role for a younger wideout or perhaps even the need for a freshman to get some snaps.
Tipton, who also had 61 yards on 11 carries in 2016, was in the running to be the de facto No. 3 receiver behind outside threat Weah and all-purpose speedster Henderson. Now, that job could be sophomore Aaron Mathews’ to lose. Perhaps two-way sophomore Maurice Ffrench will put in more time at receiver as opposed to cornerback, and it also opens up a clearer opportunity for redshirt freshman Ruben Flowers or redshirt junior Rafael Araujo-Lopes.
Narduzzi’s freshman class includes three wide receivers, Dontavius Butler, Michael Smith and Darian Street, younger brother of former Pitt standout Devin Street. All three may have been redshirt candidates, but now at least one might see game action in his first year on campus.
Tipton posted on his Twitter account Saturday: “Ive lost a lot, today wasnt any different. Ill never lose hope and never stop believing.”
Ive lost a lot, today wasnt any different. Ill never lose hope and never stop believing.
— Tre Tipton (@Tipton_05) July 8, 2017
When they think its the end i laugh because its only begun
— Tre Tipton (@Tipton_05) July 9, 2017
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.
First Published: July 10, 2017, 9:38 p.m.
Updated: July 10, 2017, 9:56 p.m.
