Pitt wide receiver Blue Hicks is quickly running out of room on his helmet.
The shell of Hicks’ helmet, from the top of his head down to the facemask, is plastered with white stickers spelling out “Blurrr.”
In total, Hicks has a team-leading six “Blurrr” stickers, each of which is to signify a wideout having made a splash play so far during spring ball.
“They’re trying to match the defense,” coach Pat Narduzzi said. “The defense puts ‘Takeaway’ stickers on their helmets, so ‘Blurrr’ means they made big plays. I love it because it tells you who’s made some big plays.”
The “Blurrr” and “Takeaway” stickers have added an extra element to the competition brewing in spring ball, with receivers coach J.J. Laster coming up with the idea for his players to show off having made impactful catches.
Naturally, with just three total sessions remaining, including Pitt’s annual Blue-Gold Spring Game on April 11, the team’s wideouts are itching to make their mark and earn the privilege of decorating their helmets.
“When you don’t see anybody with a ‘Blurrr’ sticker on, they ain’t made a play yet, at least a big-time play,” Narduzzi said. “Receivers’ jobs are to make big plays.”
Hicks enters the 2026 campaign as Pitt’s leading wideout from a season ago.
A Louisville transfer ahead of last season, Hicks went on to catch 24 passes for 422 yards and four scores.
With Poppi Williams and Deuce Spann having graduated, coupled with Kenny Johnson’s transfer to Texas Tech, Hicks is Pitt’s most experienced returner at receiver.
While Narduzzi reprimanded Hicks earlier this spring for missing a post-spring break practice as a result of travel complications, he gave Hicks some props for a strong spring to date.
“Blue’s playing well,” Narduzzi said. “Blue’s our best receiver right now.”
A season ago, Hicks averaged 17.6 yards per reception, the highest among Pitt’s main wideouts and second only to then-true freshman Bryce Yates (18.4).
Per Narduzzi, Hicks is continuing to be a long-distance threat, with all six of his “Blurrr” plays coming on downfield catches.
“He’s looked very dominant,” fellow wideout Tony Kinsler said. “Attacking people’s leverage, getting on people’s toes — he’s been a dominant receiver this spring.”
Following Thursday’s practice, Kinsler boasts two “Blurrr” stickers on his helmet.
While he recorded only one catch for 4 yards last season, he played in 12 games and was a name spoken often during fall camp.
Fast forward to now and Pitt has significantly less established players blocking Kinsler’s route to reps.
Along with fellow sophomore Bryce Yates, redshirt sophomore Tyreek Robinson, redshirt freshman Cam Sapp plus true freshmen Rodney Dunbar, Dylan Wester and Demetrice McCray, Kinsler will be under consideration for a larger role this fall.
“I feel super comfortable now,” Kinsler said. “Being here for a year, learning the ins and out and learning the playbook. … The operation — I’ve been in my playbook — so I feel comfortable now.”
So who’s leading the pack in spring takeaways among Pitt’s defensive backs?
That would be cornerback Zion Ferguson, a North Carolina transfer who did not carve out a meaningful role for himself in Year 1 with the Panthers last fall.
Granted, he played 11 games and had eight tackles, but teammates Tamon Lynum, Radhad Battle, Shadarian Harrison and Shawn Lee were above him in the pecking order for game reps.
Lynum and Battle graduated, leaving Ferguson, along with Lee and Harrison, as Pitt’s primary returning corners.
Slippery Rock’s Kanye Thompson and Raion Strader, a Penn Hills graduate and Auburn transfer, were brought in via the portal to add further reinforcements.
Last year, Pitt utilized four primary cornerbacks, with Ferguson looking in from the outside as the No. 5 man.
As at wide receiver, more prominent roles are up for grabs.
“(Ferguson), Shawn and Shadarian — those are three corners that are doing really well,” Narduzzi said. “Raion’s having a good spring, as well, but he’s still learning it. Shawn Lee, Zion and (Harrison), those guys have all been here for at least a year. … We’re happy with where our secondary is playing right now. Even my man Kanye is playing well and getting better, adjusting to a new defense, a new level. He’s got a chance to be a football player here.”