Kenny Pickett’s 1st start is final step of an unlikely rise

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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett’s first NFL start marks the end of an unlikely rise.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >> Steelers: Tomlin officially names Kenny Pickett starting quarterback in latest depth chart

Pickett was an unheralded prospect coming out of high school and began his college career at the University of Pittsburgh buried on the depth chart.

RELATED >> Report: Kenny Pickett expected to start for Steelers moving forward

But he engineered an upset of then-unbeaten Miami, launching a college career that ended with the Steelers taking him in the first round of the 2022 draft.

The team promoted Pickett to starter ahead of a visit to powerful Buffalo.

RELATED >>> Turning to Pickett was inevitable for struggling Steelers

Pickett says he’s not intimidated by the stage, saying the Steelers are embracing the underdog role.

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