When winter turned to spring on Pitt’s campus, Lucas Krull looked around and said, “Where’s the sun?”
What would you expect? He spent the past two years at the University of Florida.
“I’m not going to lie. I hated the weather,” Pitt’s tight end admitted of his first impression of the city. “It was just always gloomy.”
Of course, he learned Pittsburgh seasons change.
“The summers here are absolutely gorgeous,” he said.
But Krull didn’t come here to go on picnics. After two weeks of training camp with Pitt, he is in the midst of helping the Panthers reintroduce the tight end to their offense.
The Panthers haven’t had a legitimate, chain-moving, point-producing tight end since Scott Orndoff left after the 2016 season. Krull looks the part, but he was stuck behind Kyle Pitts, a projected high 2021 draft choice, at Florida. Krull caught nine passes in 25 games.
So, after he graduated from Florida — he earned a degree in African American studies — he packed his long underwear and headed north.
Now, he spends his time in the ear of Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, trying to influence his play-calling. But in a playful way, Krull said.
“He doesn’t stop hearing from me. That’s for sure,” Krull said. “Every time I saw him, ‘7/11 over here, I’m always open. Put another one in.’
“We have fun with it. It’s all love.”
But Krull said, “I came here for a reason, and that was because I knew this offense was going to utilize me and my talents to the fullest.”
Krull turned 22 on July 11 — another 7/11 connection — making him one of the oldest players on the team.
He fits in well with the Panthers, a team with plenty of four- and five-year seniors.
He quickly struck up a friendship with quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is a month older and was Krull’s host on his recruiting visit.
“We hit the ground running, and we haven’t stopped since,” Krull said. “It’s been a great connection, and it will continue to grow.”
Krull said he has been impressed with how Pickett has seized control of the huddle.
“He wants greatness out of everybody, even if it’s the 2s or 3s (units) that are in,” Krull said.
“If you aren’t going hard, doing it right, he’ll let you know. That’s why he’s going to get drafted and have a successful professional career.”
Speaking of careers, Krull said he’s willing to put his on hold, if necessary, to remain at Pitt and conclude what he calls his “crazy journey.”
The NCAA Division I Council approved a proposal to allow athletes in fall sports this year to retain a season of eligibility.
“If we don’t have a season, there’s no question I’ll be coming back,” he said.
Krull went to high school in Kansas, where he won a state championship in 2015, but he also has a baseball background as a pitcher. He said he could chuck it 97 mph at Jefferson (Mo.) College, but he doesn’t miss the game.
“I love football,” he said.
He might love it even more when Pitt is in the red zone. At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, he won’t be hard to miss in a crowded secondary.
“When we get down there, I put a smile on my face and say, ‘Here we go.’ “
