Set To Shine: Butler grad Kradel continues to impress at Pitt
PITTSBURGH — A few extra pounds can go a long way for an offensive lineman.
Jake Kradel discovered that first-hand.
The Butler graduate and redshirt sophomore guard for the University of Pittsburgh is 26 pounds bigger than he was his senior year with the Golden Tornado.
“Most of that is muscle,” Kradel said. “I weighed 279 in high school. That's definitely small for the level (of college football) I'm at now.
“I remember just getting pushed around out there my freshman year. It's a nice feeling knowing I can go on the field now and hold my own physically.”
When the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Kradel had a chance to prove that last year, he did not disappoint.
Already seeing action in a reserve role, he stepped into the regular lineup against Duke when starting right guard Gabe Houy was injured early in that game. Kradel did not allow a single pass pressure in that contest.
He hasn't left the lineup since.
“When Gabe came back, they moved him to right tackle,” said Kradel, who started the final seven games of last season. “It was a good experience, getting in there and playing well enough that the coaches decided to keep me in the lineup.
“Gabe and I were both third-string when we first came to Pitt. We progressed together. It's cool that we're starting alongside each other up front now. It's beneficial, too, because we know each other so well.”
Kradel credits the Panthers' strength and conditioning program for much of his improvement as a player.
“I'm definitely committed to that program,” he said. “Our lifting program is rigorous and we have a nutritionist who has us eating the right foods and getting our calories where they need to be.”
In assessing his own game, Kradel said: “I have good leverage, but I need to get better in pass protecting and finishing blocks. Both of that will come through working at it and experience.”
Kradel went through much of the summer — as did his teammates — unsure of whether the team would be playing football this fall.
“There was a lot of concern,” Kradel recalled. “From March through June, I was at home in Butler, working out on my own. We had a lot of Zoom meetings, though, and I learned from those.
“My football IQ has grown immeasurably this offseason. Reading defenses, coverages, figuring out when blitzes are coming ... I'm much better in that regard.”
Pitt finished 8-5 last season, averaging 380 yards of offense per game. Kradel is seeking improvement in those numbers.
“My goal is to play the best football I can and do what I can to help us win games,” he said. “If we have the type of season I believe we can have, the individual accolades like all-conference may come along with it.
“I don't worry about that stuff, though. I'm in it for the team. We've got a fourth-year starter (Kenny Pickett) at quarterback, two seniors on the offensive line who are true leaders, an outstanding receiving corps ... and our defense is among the top 10 or 15 in the nation.”
The Panthers are picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season in the preseason media poll.
“I think we're going to surprise some people,” Kradel said. “We want to be in Charlotte (for the ACC title game) in December. That's what we're shooting for.”
