Pitt WR Kenny Johnson Expected to Enter Transfer Portal, Leaving Key Void in Panthers’ Offense
Pitt wide receiver Kenny Johnson is expected to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens later this week. While the university hasn’t confirmed his departure, and he’s still listed on the active roster as of Monday, multiple reports indicate the junior wideout is preparing to move on from the program.
If this holds, it marks the end of a steady and increasingly impactful three-year run in Pittsburgh for Johnson. The York, Pennsylvania native started 25 games over the last two seasons and appeared in all 38 games since arriving on campus.
He’s coming off his most productive year yet, finishing second on the team in receptions (48), receiving yards (695), and touchdown catches (5). He also made his presence felt on special teams, taking a punt return to the house against Syracuse and finishing 12th in the ACC in all-purpose yardage.
Johnson’s final outing in a Panthers uniform came in the Military Bowl, where he was held without a catch in a 23-17 loss to East Carolina. It was a quiet end to a season that had plenty of standout moments for the junior receiver.
Let’s rewind a bit. Johnson came to Pitt as a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, one of the top playmakers in Pennsylvania that year.
He earned first-team all-state honors and was named MVP of the Big 33 game-a showcase known for spotlighting future college stars. Despite a crowded receiver room as a freshman, which included future NFL picks Bub Means and Konata Mumpfield, Johnson managed to carve out a role, though modest, with 15 catches in his first year.
The breakout came over the past two seasons. This year, in particular, Johnson developed strong chemistry with freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel.
That connection really popped in the second half of the season. Against NC State, Johnson exploded for seven catches, 112 yards, and a touchdown-all in the first half.
That performance earned him ACC Wide Receiver of the Week honors. A few weeks later, he followed it up with six grabs for 91 yards and a score in Pitt’s upset win over No.
16 Georgia Tech.
Johnson’s departure leaves a significant hole in the Panthers’ receiving corps, especially with senior Poppi Williams graduating. The good news?
Blue Hicks, the team’s No. 3 receiver this season, is expected back. Hicks tallied 24 catches for 422 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore and will likely be asked to take on a bigger role in 2026.
Beyond Hicks, though, the depth chart gets murky. CJ Lee was kept under the four-game threshold this year to preserve his redshirt, giving him a full senior season to work with next fall.
Bryce Yates saw some action as a true freshman, but the rest of the group is largely unproven. Pitt has already seen Jesse Anderson and Zion Fowler-El hit the portal, thinning the room even further.
That’s why the upcoming transfer portal window, which runs from January 2 to January 16, looms large. Pitt has already signed four wideouts in the 2026 recruiting class, but expect the staff to be aggressive in the portal to reload at a position that suddenly needs reinforcements.
As for Johnson, he’ll have one year of eligibility remaining and plenty of tape to turn heads. He’s shown he can produce, he’s versatile in the return game, and he has big-game experience.
Wherever he lands, he’s bringing a well-rounded skill set and a track record of steady growth. For Pitt, the challenge now is replacing one of their most dependable weapons just as a new quarterback era begins to take shape.