PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Just as spring practice was about to being for Pitt football on Sunday, a loss of a potential impact freshman. Virginia tailback Malik Newton has been medically disqualified and won't play at Pitt.
"We had that happen about four or five years ago," Narduzzi said. "I'm not going to get into what it is. Feel bad for Malik and his family. You come mid-year to college. You think you are going to play football. We got some of the greatest doctors in the world in Pittsburgh and they find out some things that are not going to allow him to play football at Pitt."
"He's a guy that will be with us. He will be on our football team. He will be medicalled. We will continue to hug him up and love him up and make sure he get his degree if he chooses to stay here at Pitt."
Super Seniors
Narduzzi said while everyone gets a free season in 2020, so their eligibility stays the same. The NCAA is looking to cut back scholarships in 2022. Essentially that means that the only ones who benefit from the 'free season' are the last year seniors.
"Coaches in every power 5 conference are working on that right now to say 'hey, let's extend the Super Senior thing'. You are giving them a year, but then you have to have your scholarships cut back down to 85. Which is not fair to the kids or the coaches. They (the NCAA) become the good guys saying everyone gets a free year. We become the bad guys saying you can't stay here."
"If I kept every Super Senior for next year, 12 players, there are zero scholarships for the 2022 class. That can't happen. It will trickle down to the high school level and there will be a lot of sad faces there."
Vince starting RB
There was uncertainty to start last season and throughout the year who the starting tailback would be. Narduzzi had no hesitation to name one this year.
"Vince Davis is our starting tailback," Narduzzi said. "Everyone behind him is going after Vince. Vince is the guy to beat. We expect more from AJ Davis."
Vince Davis rushed for 247 yards in the 2020 season finale at Georgia Tech.
Spring Game with fans
That is the plan is to have a Spring Game at Heinz Field in April with fans. Narduzzi said they will have three Saturday scrimmages at Heinz Field as well.
A date for the Spring Game has not been announced.
