Evaluating the Pitt Position Groups Following the Spring Season

It isn’t a surprise that a 3-9 squad doesn’t inspire much confidence. Pitt hasn’t exactly earned anything. But the naysayers may be proven wrong still.

Sure, Pitt lost a couple of would-be starters during the spring window, but how many schools didn’t? It’s a cold world. This isn’t an insult to Dayon Hayes or Solomon DeShields, but they’re not Jordan Addison. Pitt should be able to weather the storm, no matter how badly the Panthers would’ve liked to have either back.

Pitt only added one player in the spring window, a young, talented cornerback from Kentucky, but it likely won’t be the final addition. It’s a long offseason.

But, in the early days of May, with just about four months to go before the season opener against Kent State on Aug. 31, where do the Pitt position groups stand? The depth chart, the early depth chart, is already unfolding.

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Donovan McMillon (3) September 23, 2023 David Hague/Pittsburgh Sports Now

Feeling pretty good

Safety

This might be the deepest unit on the roster. Javon McIntyre, Donovan McMillon and P.J. O’Brien Jr. all return with starting experience. Cruce Brookins was the breakout star of the spring, and Jesse Anderson brings the type of fire Pitt requires on the backend.

If the safeties can make more splash plays, it will change the game in a major way.

Linebacker

Despite the turnover, I’m feeling really good about the linebackers. There may be an adjustment period considering the youth on the outside, but it’s time to embrace the talented, young athletes.

Kyle Louis, Jordan Bass, Braylan Lovelace and Rasheem Biles offer a blend of size, speed and playmaking. And they can play across all three spots, almost interchangeably. Brandon George and Keye Thompson are the veterans in the room.

Tight End 

Gavin Bartholomew has the potential to be the best tight end in the ACC — the only question is whether Pitt will finally be able to use him right.

Kicker

Jacob Bronowski is on record saying Ben Sauls is the best kicker in college football. I wouldn’t go that far, but Sauls has an NFL leg, a supremely confident mindset and a track record of success. He needs to stay consistent.

Running Back 

Rodney Hammond Jr. is a very talented runner. He’s never been the lead back, but there’s no time like the present. When given the opportunity, Hammond has shown he can be a 20-25-carry back. But…

Desmond Reid impressed this spring. He was a star at Western Michigan, and he’s going to — at the very least — be in the rotation this season. Derrick Davis Jr. has speed that rivals Reid. He’s had a full season to learn what it means to be a running back at the college and his blend of size and speed should be an asset.

And of course, Daniel Carter is still around.

Nate Yarnell (19) of the Pittsburgh Panthers April 13, 2024 David Hague/PSN

Maybe a couple of question marks 

Quarterback

Nate Yarnell has looked good when called upon during his time at Pitt, but he has just 202 offensive snaps under his belt. Three starts. I think he has a good chance to be the best Pitt quarterback since Kenny Pickett.

Admittedly, a low bar to clear.

Eli Holstein impressed upon arriving from Alabama, and his future is bright. He should continue to challenge Yarnell.

Offensive Line 

Pitt will be banking on another year of experience. It’s largely the same unit that finished last season but with Ryan Jacoby healthy. He will slot into one of the guard spots, but it’s not as if he’s a secret weapon.

There’s no guarantee he’s better than Jake Kradel or Blake Zubovic. But there’s a reason he was expected to start last season, and the weakest spot on the line is whoever starts at the opposite spot. Terrence Moore is starting at center, and Branson Taylor and Ryan Baer are starting at the tackle spots.

Improvement is needed. The offensive line was poor last season but with a new offensive scheme, legitimate change could be coming.

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Sean FitzSimmons (55) October 8, 2022 David Hague/PSN

Some reason for concern

Defensive End 

Nate Matlack wound up being a significant winter pickup. He’s a Day 1 starter with experience and potential. Seeing him put together the season many expected Dayon Hayes to have wouldn’t be surprising. There are a lot of questions outside of Matlack though.

Bam Brima is an experienced rotation player but isn’t a difference-maker. Sincere Edwards looks like a future star off the edge, but he hasn’t played a snap of college football yet. Jimmy Scott and David Ojiegbe are both firmly in the mix.

It’s just hard to bet on potential.

Defensive Tackle

It isn’t easy to replace 90% of snaps from any unit. But at the same time, change was needed on the interior of the defensive line. The unit didn’t make splash plays and didn’t stop the run. It was missing twitch and quickness.

By all accounts, the new defensive tackles aren’t. Nahki Johnson and Sean FitzSimmons are leading the way, and Nick James, Isaiah Neal and Elliot Donald will rotate. Pitt likes to rotate on the interior, even if someone like Calijah Kancey is on the roster, and that isn’t going to change when there isn’t someone like him around. It’s about finding the right combination now.

Even young players like Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington could be in the mix entering the season, despite their newness.

Cornerback 

See above.

Ryland Gandy is the only player I feel comfortable projecting as a starter. He doesn’t have much experience either, but his strides during the spring were impressive. There was an emphasis on getting him snaps at the end of last season.

Jaremiah Anglin Jr. was an intriguing addition from the transfer portal, and I’d expect he isn’t here to sit on the bench — even though the second-year freshman missed his entire first season due to an ACL tear. Rashad Battle, Tamon Lynum and Tamarion Crumpley offer additional options but the experience is still lacking.

Punter 

Caleb Junko is still the only viable punter on the roster. He wasn’t good enough last season, but at this point, he’s the only realistic option to start. That’s concerning.