Kenny Pickett reveals secret about hands, delays measurements until NFL Scouting Combine

Former Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett just unintentionally made his hands a major talking point at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Pickett declined to get his hands measured and will instead wait for the NFL Combine.

The reason for the delay is a little strange. Pickett told reporter Tom Pelissero that he didn’t get his hands measured in Mobile because he’s double-jointed.

The odd angle of his thumb makes it harder to get an accurate measurement, according to the quarterback, so he’s doing “extra exercises” to get that measurement in April.

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett didn’t have his hands measured here in Mobile, but he has a good reason: He’s double jointed, so his thumb naturally points an odd direction, and he’s doing extra exercises to get an accurate measurement at the combine in March. pic.twitter.com/KLMdraG9AC

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2022

An AFC area scout whose region includes Pitt told NFL.com earlier this month that his hand size is “under 9 (inches), for sure.”

Pickett’s hand size seems trivial after he threw for 4,319 passing yards, 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions this season. However, he could be the first quarterback off the draft board and teams take every little thing into consideration during the scouting process.

The Pitt star is joined by Sam Howell, Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder, Carson Strong, and Bailey Zappe at the Senior bowl.

Pickett leaves legacy behind at Pitt

Pickett in 2021 completed 67 percent of his passes on his way to a Heisman candidacy. He also added 241 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

The New Jersey native set a single-season Pitt record in passing yardage, passing touchdowns and total touchdowns. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes, eclipsing the previous record of 41 set by Deshaun Watson.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior helped Pitt orchestrate a complete turnaround from years past. They achieved the first 11-win season since 1981, when the Panthers won the Sugar Bowl thanks in large part to Dan Marino.

Pickett led Pitt to an 11-2 record, including an ACC Championship victory, the program’s first, over Wake Forest. In that 45-21 win over the Demon Deacons, Pickett completed 20 of his 33 passing attempts. He finished with 253 passing yards, 20 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Pickett won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding upperclassman quarterback. He also earned a spot on most every All-American team. He projects as a first-round NFL Draft pick in most mock drafts.