Kedon Slovis

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Kedon Slovis
Kedon Slovis.jpg
Slovis with USC in 2019
Pittsburgh Panthers – No. 9
PositionQuarterback
ClassJunior
MajorBusiness administration
Personal information
Born: (2001-04-11) April 11, 2001 (age 20)
Scottsdale, Arizona
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolDesert Mountain High School (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Career highlights and awards

Kedon Slovis (born April 11, 2001) is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Panthers. Slovis attended and played high school football at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona and began his college career at USC in 2019 before transferring to Pittsburgh in 2022.

Early years[]

Slovis attended Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. During his two years playing varsity high school football, he passed for 5,549 yards with 50 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions.[1] His high school quarterback coach was Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.[2] In his senior year of high school, he received offers from 12 colleges, with Northern Arizona University being the only in state university, before committing to USC in 2018.[2][3] USC had been one of the only teams from one of the Power Five conferences to show interest in Slovis, which happened shortly after USC quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis visited the high school.[4] Arizona State offensive coordinator Rob Likens had also shown interest in Slovis, but was unable to recruit him before he committed to the Trojans.[5] Slovis graduated from his high school a semester early and enrolled at the University of Southern California in January 2019.[6]

College career[]

USC[]

Freshman season[]

See also: 2019 USC Trojans football team

Slovis entered the 2019 season as the second quarterback in the depth chart, behind then-starting quarterback JT Daniels. Slovis made his first collegiate appearance in the Trojans' season opener against Fresno State, after Daniels suffered a season-ending knee injury.[7][8] Slovis would go on to make his first start next week, where he set the school record for quarterback touchdowns in a 45–20 victory over the 23rd ranked Stanford Cardinal.[9][10] For his efforts, Slovis was named the PAC-12 Freshman of the Week.[11] The next week, Slovis started in an away game against BYU, where he would throw three interceptions in a 30–27 loss in overtime.[12] Slovis would next start in a home game against the 10th ranked Utah Utes, where he left the game early in the first quarter after suffering a possible head injury. Backup quarterback Matt Fink would proceed to lead the Trojans to a 30–23 upset victory.[13][14] Following the incident, Slovis was placed in the concussion protocol and ruled out for the next game, an away game at Washington, leaving Fink to start.[15][16] Slovis would return to the starting position for the next game, a narrow loss at 9th ranked Notre Dame.[17][18] Rebounding from that loss, Slovis would lead the Trojans to two straight wins, a blowout against Arizona and a come from behind victory in USC's first away game win of the season at Colorado.[4][19] For his performance in the Colorado victory, Slovis was awarded his second PAC-12 Freshman of the Week Award.[11] Following a 56–24 blowout loss to Oregon, where Slovis set the USC record for most pass attempts in a game, Slovis would return to his native Arizona where he set another school record with 292 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in the first quarter of a 31–26 victory against Arizona State.[20][21][22] For his performance, Slovis was awarded the PAC-12 Player of the Week Award, while freshman Kenan Christon was named the PAC-12 Freshman of the Week.[23] The following week, Slovis led the Trojans to a 41–17 blowout of Cal going 29/35 for 406 yards, 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions.[24] In the final game of the regular season, Slovis broke another USC record throwing for single game passing yards, throwing for 515 yards and 4 touchdowns (the previous record of 493 yards was set by Matt Barkley in 2012) in a 52–35 win over UCLA.[25][26] It was his fourth game of at least 400 yards passing, setting yet another school record. During the 2019 Holiday Bowl, with USC down 28–24 but making a comeback, Slovis suffered an elbow strain in the second quarter after getting sacked by A. J. Epenesa. He was replaced by Matt Fink and USC would lose to the Iowa Hawkeyes 49–24.[27]

Slovis finished the 2019 season with a freshman record 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions and an NCAA Freshman record 71.8 completion percentage, while leading USC to an 8–4 regular season record and a Holiday Bowl berth en route to being named the PAC-12 Freshman of the Year.[28]

Sophomore season[]

See also: 2020 USC Trojans football team

Following the 2019 season, multiple sources pegged Slovis as a possible contender for the Heisman Trophy in 2020.[29][30] On July 14, 2020, he was named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List alongside other notable quarterbacks, including 2020 Heisman Trophy favorites Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.[31] In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Pac-12 Conference football season was indefinitely suspended. In September, Slovis sent an open letter alongside several other USC players convincing California Governor Gavin Newsom to loosen restrictions related to the pandemic to possibly allow for a 2020 season.[32][33]

In week 1 of the 2020 season, against the Arizona State University Sun Devils, Slovis set a USC record of 40 completions as he threw for 380 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 28–27 comeback victory. For his efforts he received Davey O’Brien Award Great 8, Manning Award Star of the Week and CollegeSportsMadness.com Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. The following week, the Trojans traveled to Tucson to play the University of Arizona Wildcats where Slovis led another 4th quarter comeback, throwing for 325 yards and 1 touchdown in the 34–30 victory. In Week 3, Slovis threw for 264 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception en route to defeating the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City, for the first time since 2012, and improving USC's record to 3–0. Following the cancellation of their Week 4 matchup vs the Colorado Buffaloes due to COVID-19, Slovis led USC to a 38–13 victory over Wazzu throwing for 287 yards and 5 touchdowns (4 of which were to Amon-Ra St. Brown).

In the final week of the regular season, Slovis helped rally the Trojans from an 18-point deficit by throwing for 344 yards and 5 touchdowns (including the game winner to Amon-Ra St. Brown with under a minute left) in a 43–38 victory over against crosstown rival UCLA. For his efforts in the Battle for the Victory Bell, he was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week and CollegeSportsMadness.com Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week. USC finished the regular season at 5–0 (for the first time since 2006), claimed the PAC-12 South Title and advanced to the PAC-12 Championship Game. For his performance, he was named the PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Week.

In the 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, USC suffered its only loss of the season to the defending Pac-12 Champion Oregon Ducks, 31–24. In a game marred by USC penalties, inconsistencies, turnovers and lack of running game, Slovis went 28-52 for 320 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions (with his third being picked off in the 4th quarter as he attempted to throw the ball out of bounds). On the final play of the game, Slovis would suffer a season ending shoulder injury.

On December 19, USC announced that it would be opting out of their Bowl Game. The team would finish the season as the PAC-12 South Champions with a 5–1 record and ranked #17 in NCAA. Slovis would lead all PAC-12 Starting Quarterbacks in wins (5), passing yards (1,921), passing yards per game (320.2), completions (177), attempts (264), completion percentage (67.0%) and touchdowns (17) but also lead the league in interceptions (7) and sacks (15). For his play over the season, Slovis was named to the first team All-Pac-12 Team as voted by Pac-12 coaches, first team All-Pac-12 as voted by the Associated Press and third team All-Pac-12 by Pro Football Focus.

Junior season[]

See also: 2021 USC Trojans football team

In order to improve his mechanics, during the 2021 offseason Slovis began working with QB mechanics coaches Jordan Palmer and Tom House, who have worked with several NFL quarterbacks.

Despite this, Slovis struggled in his junior and final season at USC, finishing with 2,153 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions with a 132.7 quarterback rating as the Trojans would finish with a 4–8 record in 2021.

On December 13, 2021, Slovis entered the NCAA transfer portal.[34]

Pittsburgh[]

On December 21, 2021, Slovis announced he would transfer to Pittsburgh.[35]

Statistics[]

Season Team Games Passing
GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg Lng TD Int QBR
2019 USC 12 11 7–4 282 392 71.9 3,502 8.9 95 30 9 167.6
2020 USC 6 6 5–1 177 264 67.0 1,921 7.4 65 17 7 144.1
2021 USC 9 9 4–5 193 297 65.0 2,153 7.2 62 11 8 132.7
2022 Pittsburgh 0 0 0–0 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
Career[36] 27 26 16–10 652 953 68.4 7,576 7.9 95 58 24 150.2

References[]

  1. ^ "Kedon Slovis | Desert Mountain HS, Scottsdale, AZ". MaxPreps. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Obert, Richard (May 16, 2018). "Desert Mountain QB Kedon Slovis' recruiting taking off with Kurt Warner's help". The Arizona Republic. Gannett. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Spratling, Shotgun (December 19, 2018). "QB Kedon Slovis is headed from AZ to LA". 247Sports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Gold, Jon (October 18, 2019). "Scottsdale's Kedon Slovis overlooked by Arizona Wildcats, shines for USC Trojans". The Arizona Republic. Gannett. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  5. ^ Gardner, Michelle (November 5, 2019). "True freshmen Jayden Daniels, Kedon Slovis leading the way for ASU and USC". The Arizona Republic. Gannett. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  6. ^ Grosbard, Adam (March 30, 2019). "How USC freshman QB Kedon Slovis has impressed at spring practice". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  7. ^ Evans, Jace (September 1, 2019). "USC starting quarterback JT Daniels out for the season with knee injury". USA Today. Gannett. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  8. ^ Obert, Richard (September 8, 2019). "USC QB Kedon Slovis' high school coaches not surprised by record starting debut". The Arizona Republic. Gannett. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  9. ^ Grosbard, Adam (September 8, 2019). "Kedon Slovis sets two USC records in Trojans' win over No. 23 Stanford". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  10. ^ "USC Football Roster—Kedon Slovis". USC Trojans. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Trevino, Chris (October 28, 2019). "USC Football: QB Kedon Slovis named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week". 247Sports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  12. ^ Kartje, Ryan (September 14, 2019). "Kedon Slovis picked off in overtime as USC suffers stunning loss to BYU". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  13. ^ Cooper, Sam (September 20, 2019). "USC QB Kedon Slovis knocked out of Utah game with possible head injury". Yahoo Sports. Verizon Media. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  14. ^ Lott, Thomas (September 20, 2019). "USC quarterback Kedon Slovis injured on second play of game vs. Utah". Sporting News. DAZN Group. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  15. ^ Kartje, Ryan (September 26, 2019). "Quarterback Kedon Slovis is ruled out for USC's game at Washington". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  16. ^ Trevino, Chris (September 26, 2019). "USC Football: QB Kedon Slovis officially out vs. Washington". 247Sports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  17. ^ Grosbard, Adam (October 14, 2019). "Where USC saw improvement in Kedon Slovis' second road game". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  18. ^ Kartje, Ryan (October 13, 2019). "Kedon Slovis comes alive late, but USC's rally comes up short against No. 9 Notre Dame". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  19. ^ Grosbard, Adam (October 26, 2019). "How USC QB Kedon Slovis took a step forward in his evolution vs. Colorado". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  20. ^ Kasabian, Paul (November 2, 2019). "Justin Herbert, No. 7 Oregon Dominate USC 56-24 as Kedon Slovis Struggles". Bleacher Report. WarnerMedia. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  21. ^ Associated Press (November 9, 2019). "Pac-12 football roundup: Kedon Slovis, USC hold off Arizona State". The Spokesman-Review. Cowles Company. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  22. ^ "USC, Slovis win passing shootout vs. Arizona St". Reuters. November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  23. ^ Grosbard, Adam (November 18, 2019). "USC notebook: RB Stephen Carr feels good after return from injury". Los Angeles Daily News. Digital First Media. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  24. ^ Meagher, Sean (November 17, 2019). "USC routs Cal behind 4 TDs from Slovis: Recap, highlights". OregonLive.com. Advance. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  25. ^ Bonagura, Kyle (November 23, 2019). "Kedon Slovis becomes first USC QB to surpass 500 yards". KABC-TV. ABC Owned Television Stations. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  26. ^ City News Service (November 23, 2019). "USC football team beats UCLA, 52-35". KTTV. Fox Television Stations. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  27. ^ Kartje, Ryan (December 28, 2019). "USC quarterback Kedon Slovis' elbow injury ruins his Holiday plans". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  28. ^ Grosbard, Adam (November 23, 2019). "USC QB Kedon Slovis has night for history books in win over UCLA". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  29. ^ Schlager, Brandon (January 16, 2020). "Heisman Trophy odds 2020: Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Kedon Slovis & more early favorites". Sporting News. DAZN Group. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  30. ^ Cluff, Jeremy (January 28, 2020). "2020 Heisman Trophy: Spencer Rattler, Kedon Slovis, Brock Purdy among Arizona candidates". The Arizona Republic. Gannett. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  31. ^ Mellor, Cam (July 14, 2020). "Kedon Slovis named to the 2020 Davey O'Brien Watch List". MSN. Microsoft. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  32. ^ Kartje, Ryan (September 15, 2020). "'Please let us play.' USC football team asks Gov. Gavin Newsom to loosen restrictions". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  33. ^ "'Let Us Play': USC Quarterback Kedon Slovis Calls On Gov. Gavin Newsom To Allow Football To Resume". KCBS-TV. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  34. ^ Bonagura, Kyle (December 13, 2021). "Southern California QB Kedon Slovis enters transfer portal". ESPN. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  35. ^ Uggetti, Paolo (December 21, 2021). "Former USC Trojans QB Kedon Slovis announces transfer to Pittsburgh Panthers football team". ESPN. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  36. ^ "Kedon Slovis stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved May 12, 2020.

External links[]

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