Kradel looking for fitting finale
BUTLER TWP — Changing positions along the offensive line has been no bother to Jake Kradel.
The Butler graduate and Pitt center is hopeful of changing uniforms by this time next season — in the NFL.
“With COVID and my redshirt year, this is my sixth season at Pitt,” the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Kradel said. “I’m the veteran guy now. We did graduate a number of guys up front, but we’ve got more experience coming back than people think.
“Because of injuries, a lot of guys got plenty of playing experience last season. And those guys are back.”
Kradel has played left guard, right guard and center for the Panthers. An injury moved him to center for nine games last season. He started the other four at right guard.
Now he’s Pitt’s starting center — and hopes that may be his ticket into the NFL.
“There’s a lot of added responsibility with that position,” Kradel said of playing center. “Basically, you’re the quarterback of the offensive line. You have to read the defensive front, possible blitzes, signal the blocking schemes.
“I have to I.D. the mike linebacker on every play. I feel like I’m pretty good at center now, but I need to get better. I plan to get better. ”
Kradel has played in 43 career games at Pitt, making 38 starts. He was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at guard last season and received honorable mention honors at center.
Kradel anchored a Panther offensive line that helped produce a 1,000-yard rusher in Israel Abanikanda and 1,000-yard receiver in Jared Wayne in the same season for the first time since 2014. Abanikanda rushed for 1,431 yards last season and led the ACC in that category.
“As solid as our line was last year, I think we can be even better this year,” Kradel enthused.
Kradel’s name is on the NCAA’s watch list for the Rimington Trophy in 2023. That award goes to the best center in college football.
Other veteran senior offensive linemen for Pitt include senios Ryan Jacoby, Blake Zubovic and Matt Goncalves. They are being pushed by several juniors and sophomores.
“We have quality depth all over our line,” Kradel said. “We’re not getting a lot of respect on the ACC preseason poll (picked sixth), but we are going to surprise people. Rodney Hammond is back at running back and he’ll be a force.
“Phil Jurkovec can do great things at quarterback. With him coming from Pine-Richland, I’m very familiar with him. It seems odd I’ll be snapping the ball to him now.”
Kradel already has a degree in finance from Pitt and he’s close to completing his master’s degree there. He’s equipped to transition into life after football.
He just doesn’t want to make that transition anytime soon.
“I don’t feel like I’m done,” Kradel said. “I’ve been playing football all my life. I want to close my college career on a high note and if I get any kind of shot at the NFL, I’m taking it.
“Whether I’m drafted by a team or get an opportunity as a non-drafted free agent, it doesn’t matter. All I’m trying to do is get my foot in the door. That’s the only way I’ll truly find out if I’m good enough.
“With all due respect to these new spring football leagues that have popped up, if I don’t get into the NFL, I’ll work on getting my post-football life untracked,” he added.
