PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Credit to Pitt for still releasing a depth chart so the fans can have a better idea of what the coaches think of their roster. Here is a look at several of the position changes or continued battles for the Panthers going into the opener against Wofford Saturday afternoon on 93.7 The Fan.
QB
Phil Jurkovec is the starting quarterback, but Christian Veilleux is the backup with Nate Yarnell third-string.
"That doesn't mean Nate can't win a football game for us, as he's already done," Narduzzi said. "He's a good player too. Christian got a little more comfortable and didn't make as many little mistakes as Nate did. That can change next week."
Yarnell will not be the scout team quarterback, whether he will be with Jurkovec and Veilleux in all of the meetings and getting whatever reps he can.
RB
Rodney Hammond, Jr. is the starting tailback, really not a surprise as he was splitting carries with Israel Abanikanda before his leg injury last season. C'Bo Flemister is battling fullback, mostly turned running back, Daniel Carter for second team reps with transfer Derrick Davis fourth.
TE
Gavin Bartholomew is the starter with Karter Johnson as the second, but they like 6'6" transfer Malcolm Epps and sophomore Jake Renda. Epps and Renda are listed as 'or' for third team. They will get opportunities.
WR
Bub Means and Konata Mumpfield are starters with the third being Florida transfer Daejon Reynolds. The 6'2", 210-pound sophomore has made a quick impact.
"Daejon has been pretty consistent through camp," Narduzzi said. "Those young guys are right on their tail, they are nipping at his butt. He's been consistent. He's really smart football-wise. He learned the offense quickly. I think we know he will do the right thing."
Narduzzi said expect a few of the freshmen, Zion Fowler-El and Kenny Johnson specifically to contribute right away. Israel Polk, Che Nwabuko and Lamar Seymore are other freshmen to watch and 6'5" Jake McConnachie is listed as a second-teamer.
OL
Narduzzi said Matt Goncalves is their best tackle, so the versatile captain will play on the left side with Branson Taylor on the right. Senior Jake Kradel at center with Blake Zubovic at right guard. The left guard is Jason Collier, because he's performed, but also because transfer Ryan Jacoby is out for the year due an injury he suffered during individual drills in training camp. Narduzzi said Jacoby will be a tough guy to replace because he was having a good camp.
"Jason has been here for a long time," Narduzzi said. "He knows the system. He's smart, he played right guard and left guard. He naturally fits into that spot. He's been playing guard for a long time. We talk about our older guys playing their best football right now. We have faith in what he is doing."
DL
A pair of new starting defensive ends with much expected of senior Dayon Hayes and him taking a next step this year with senior Nate Temple starting on the other side.
"He stayed healthy," Narduzzi said of Temple. "I'll give him a lot of credit now. I didn't know if he could make it through a camp, a Spring ball and stay healthy, but he did. We are excited he did. That's the first win of the year, that Nate Temple stayed healthy. No one has ever seen Nate Temple. We are looking forward to Nate Temple make plays."
Nahki Johnson, Sam Okunlola, Bam Brima and Jimmy Scott will likely get rotational opportunities, especially if the Wofford game goes as expected.
At defensive tackle there are four players listed for two spots-Devin Danielson or David Green and Deandre Jules or Tyler Bentley.
"All four of those guys are starters," Narduzzi said. "(Jules) had a great camp. He's big and physical and just keeps getting better. If he has a great year, I can see that guy playing in the NFL.
He's got a good pass-rush and he's playing at a high level right now. He's a big man. He looks like you are supposed to look."
Freshman Sean FitzSimmons will get snaps, sophomore Elliot Donald likely will as well.
LB
Shayne Simon starts in the middle, no surprise here as Simon has fit in since early last season coming over from Notre Dame. Brandon George is the backup.
Bangally Kamara has moved over to 'money linebacker' with Solomon DeShields at 'star linebacker' to be the starters there.
"No real reasoning, they are both good players," Narduzzi said of the switch. "They are interchangeable based on who we are playing. To me there is no difference. Bengally is physically suited to do both and more physical in the box. Bengally is a heck of a blitzer. It's the physicality and the extra year of playing."
Freshmen Kyle Louis and Braylan Lovelace have been impressive in camp.
DB
Two jobs open at safety with Javon McIntyre and Phillip O'Brien, Jr. listed as starters.
"Javon has had a great Spring and a good Fall as well," Narduzzi said. "PJ, I challenged him after Spring ball about being a better communicator. PJ had a really good Fall camp. Again, we have guys behind them. We are going to find out who are starting safeties are after the first couple of games. Find how who is going to get it done when the fire is burning."
Local Stephon Hall and transfer Donovan McMillon are the backups.
MJ Devonshire is unquestionably a starting corner with AJ Woods or Marquis Williams the other starter.
"All three are starters," Narduzzi said. "If I were an offensive coordinator I wouldn't throw MJ's way. He just goes and gets the ball. I imagine the others will get more targets."
"All three of them are big-time corners who could play in the NFL. AJ being right in the middle, Marquis is more of a nifty player. You run a bubble to his side, he is going to make a play. He's physical for a smaller guy (5'9", 180 pounds). He is pound-for-pound one of the toughest players on our football team. We have a good blend of players there."
Narduzzi said their experienced corners will help relay plays at the start of the year as the safeties grow.
Kickers
Ben Sauls returns to build on last year, especially the performance in the Sun Bowl. Caleb Junko wins the starting punter battle with Cam Guess the back-up. Guess will handle the holding duties. Byron Floyd remains the long-snapper with Means the kickoff returner and Devonshire the punt returner.
