'Doing my job'
PITTSBURGH — Jake Kradel is all about numbers.
Not his own. The ones he hopes to help provide.
The Butler graduate and starting right guard for the University of Pittsburgh knows what he wants to see happen with the Panther offense this fall.
“If we get a 1,000-yard rusher and (quarterback) Kenny Pickett can throw for 4,000 yards or so, I'll know I'm doing my job,” Kradel said.
“As offensive linemen, we have to do our jobs to enable the quarterback and running backs to do their jobs.”
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Kradel, a redshirt junior, is used to such a life on the gridiron. After a stellar career at Butler — where he became an all-state player and one of the most highly recruited linemen in the state — he has become a mainstay along Pitt's offensive front.
And he's not alone.
“We've got a number of guys up front who have been starting for the last couple of years,” Kradel said. “We do a lot of film study together, two or three hours a day.
“For our line to be on the same page, it's huge. When we make an adjustment call up front and one guy misses it, that can destroy that whole running play or pass attempt. We have to play as a unit.”
A finance major, Kradel plans to continue playing at Pitt and getting his masters there. He plans on doing some winning on the football field as well — individually and as a team.
He's started 15 games at right guard over the past two seasons. Kradel was part of the Panther offensive line that received the National Team of the Week award from Pro Football Focus for its performance against Austin Peay last season.
He was also named the Atlantic Coast Conference's Lineman of the Week for his performance against Duke, when he came off the bench to see his first game action as a college player.
Kradel did not allow a single pass pressure and was effective in the Panthers' running game that day.
“That was the highlight of my career so far,” Kradel said. “I don't want that to remain my biggest highlight. I'm hoping that comes this year.
“I'd like to win some more of those weekly awards.”
Kradel can still play three more seasons at Pitt, including this one. He is unsure if he'll use all of that eligibility.
“I know it's there if I need it,” he said.
Pitt finished 6-5 last season, losing four straight games at one point. The Panthers are picked to finish sixth in the ACC's Coastal Division this season.
Pitt opens the season Sept. 4 against Massachusetts at Heinz Field.
“We are going to surprise a lot of people,” Kradel promised. “Kenny coming back for another year is big for us. We need to keep him clean back there.
“I've been practicing a lot with my footwork and technical stuff. I need to get better with my run-blocking. That's basically about getting nastier, having an attitude about it.”
Kradel knows about life as an offensive lineman. Staying out of the spotlight is a good thing.
“You love to get the personal accolades, but allowing no sacks and opening holes is what I'm there to do,” he said.
