Former Pitt Panthers Star Signs Extension with Cardinals

Title: Former Pitt Star Signs Extension with Cardinals James Conner, a former star running back for the Pitt Panthers, has signed a two-year extension with the Arizona Cardinals, keeping him with the team through the 2026 season. Conner's high school football career was marked by versatility, playing both defensive line and running back at McDowell in Pennsylvania. He made a significant impact during his freshman year at Pitt in 2013, finishing with 799 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and earning MVP honors in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl. In 2014, Conner had his best season, rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns, marking the highest rushing touchdowns in a single season in Pitt history. His performance in 2014 earned him ACC Player of the Year, First Team All-ACC, and First Team All-American honors. Conner faced significant challenges, suffering a season-ending MCL tear in 2015 and being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but he returned to football in 2016. He finished his college career with 3,373 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns, ranking second in Pitt history for both categories. The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Conner in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, where he played for four seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2018. Since joining the Cardinals in 2021, Conner has continued to excel, earning his second Pro Bowl selection and accumulating significant rushing and receiving yards. In the 2024 season, Conner has had a strong performance, contributing to the team's success when achieving 100 yards or more from scrimmage.

Original Article: https://www.si.com/college/pittsburgh/news/former-pitt-panthers-james-conner-extension-arizona-cardinals

Original Article Author: Dominic Campbell