PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Over three weeks of training camp there are several starting spots yet to be decided with the first game at home on Saturday.
Pitt designates a few positions with 'or' meaning head coach Pat Narduzzi hasn't picked a starter. They include tailback where three are listed, Mike linebacker, free safety and kicker. While there is uncertainty, Narduzzi said it's more of a luxury that not having capable players. It wasn't always like that.
"The 'or' in 2021 compared to 'or' three years ago are totally different," Narduzzi said Monday. "I can tell you what position is an 'or' where I don't know or we feel good with each one of them. There are a lot of positions where I feel we are pretty good."
Chief among them is at linebacker where Wendell Davis is back from injury and battling SirVocea Dennis, who really burst on the scene last year before injury.
"Wendell is a good football player," Narduzzi said. "So is SirVocea. So it's a good problem. Who starts next week likely based on this week. It's good motivation. It's a great problem to have."
Davis started the first couple of games last year before injury. The 6'3" junior played in 18 total games. His highlight play on special teams with a scoop and score off a blocked punt against UCF in 2019. Davis would also block a punt that season.
Dennis, a 6'1" junior, tied for a team high with 14.5 tackles for loss finishing third in the ACC, also named All-ACC Third team. In his first start against Boston College, Dennis had 11 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. The New York native would have four TFLs against Notre Dame.
Filing the shoes of All-ACC free safety Damar Hamlin begins as a two-man job. It could bounce during a game or even during the season. 6'3" sophomore Rashad Battle against 5'11" junior Erick Hallett.
"Rashad Battle is big and athletic," Narduzzi said. "Rashad could be out starting at corner. He's a team player. Hallet you feel comfortable because he's done it in a game."
Tailback is even more undecided as three listed as the starter-senior AJ Davis, junior Vincent Davis and sophomore Israel Abanikanda.
"I would say we would play it by series," Narduzzi said. "It will come down to how they practice this week."
Vincent Davis named the starter in the Spring. Then it was Abanikanda impressing in camp. Now it's the fifth-year senior, who hadn't really been mentioned all August, also in the mix.
AJ Davis started the season opener last year rushing for a total of 266 yards (4.4 average) and a touchdown with 10 receptions. Davis has 39 games in college, so experience plays in his favor.
Abanikanda has the most complete upside, came into camp in amazing shape at 5'11", 215 pounds. Coaches and teammates rave about his potential, but lacks consistency at times and still learning the offense.
Vincent Davis seemed like a lock with the way he finished the 2020 season. Rushing for 247 yards and a touchdown in the season finale at Georgia Tech. Vincent Davis led the team with 632 yards (4.4 avg) and had six rushing touchdowns. He also led the tailbacks with 24 receptions for 154 yards and a score.
The decision to replace four-year starter Alex Kessman as kicker is tougher. A couple without any experience with redshirt freshman Ben Sauls and redshirt sophomore Sam Scarton are competing.
"That's one of those bad 'or's right now," Narduzzi said. "Both have improved together. Last five days (of practice) hitting over 80%. Last year coming out of camp, Kessman was hitting 86%."
"It's a hard decision. They both deserve to kick. We have all kinds of different ideas, but we haven't nailed down one."
Narduzzi added while they have starters on the defensive line. He believes they have six starters in that group. The offensive line still has battles at tackle with Matt Goncalves and Branson Taylor right there if Gabe Houy or Carter Warren struggle.
The seven-year Pitt head coach also believes they have young receivers battling for time and corner MJ Devonshire close to being a starter.
Jobs to fill, but Narduzzi says it's with better quality athletes now. We'll start to find answers on Saturday at 4p against UMass.
