Pat Narduzzi is still trying to get in his groove since becoming the head coach of the Pitt Panthers. He and Mark Dantonio worked well together at Michigan State, but Narduzzi hasn’t enjoyed anywhere close to that level of success since coming here. They will have a very young team and could look to make some waves in what is most likely going to be an open year in the ACC, with only 1 team having a real chance to win the conference.
Prestige Ranking (If NCAA Football 19 existed): 4*
Arguably the most relevant thing Pitt has done in the last decade or so was beating West Virginia in 2007 to keep them out of the national championship game. Other than that, they haven’t gotten anywhere close to a conference, or even a division title. However, Pitt is one of the most historic programs of all time, enjoying a bevy of success in the 1930s or s0…and if Michigan is allowed to take prestige for being good when our grandparents were kids, so can Pitt.
Last Year’s Record: 5-7 (3-5 ACC)
Projected Returning Starters:
Offense: 6
QB Kenny Pickett, RB Darrin Hall, WR Rafael Araujo-Lopes, WR Maurice Ffrench, OL Alex Bookser, OL Jimmy Morrissey.
Pickett only started for a couple games last year as Pitt used up 3 roster QBs last year, but Pickett looks to be the guy going into the future. He is joined in coming back by his 2 leading rushers from 2017 Darrin Hall and Quadree Ollison. He does lose his #1 receiver, but brings back his next 2 leading receivers in Araujo-Lopes and Ffrench. Alex Bookser was All-ACC honorable mention and he looks to be the leader for the o-line unit after losing Brian O’Neill. After Pickett gets a few more games under his belt, we will find out if he is the real deal and if Pitt can really threaten. Watch out for RS Freshman Todd Sibley, the former Ohio State commit, to make some noise out of the backfield also.
Defense: 7
DL Rashad Weaver, DL Dewayne Hendrix, DL James Folston, LB Oluwseun Idowu, LB Saleem Brightwell, LB Elijah Zeise, DB Dane Jackson
Pitt returns a decent bit to the defense in 2018. They return 3 of their 4 defensive lineman, as well as all three linebackers (all of which were in the top 4 in tackles for the team last year). They will need to rebuild at DB after losing stars Avonte Maddox and Jordan Whitehead, but the good news is Dane Jackson actually led the team in picks last year, so maybe they kept a playmaker that can get the ball back for their offense. Damar Hamlin of Pittsburgh Central Catholic will look to step up this year; he played some last year but will assuredly have a larger role this year.
Special Teams: 1
K Alex Kessman
The Panthers bring back their extra point steady kicker, who was 100% on XP last year. He had a poor percentage on FGs though and he must bring that up this year. Pitt will also need to replace it’s punter Ryan Winslow and star return man Quadree Henderson.
Key Losses:
WR Quadree Henderson, WR Jester Weah, OL Brian O’Neill, DB Jordan Whitehead, DB Avonte Maddox.
Weah was their top receiver last year and will surely be missed. Henderson is one of the best return men in Pitt history and he will not be able to be replaced in just one season, barring a miracle. O’Neill is the piesman award winner, as well as an outstanding lineman, and his leadership will be missed. As previously mentioned, Maddox and Whitehead were the unquestioned stars and leaders of the defense, and the Panthers will take a hit without them.
Five Year Recruiting Rank (Bill Connelly): 37
Pitt is in a tough place recruiting wise. They are not exactly in prime ACC territory to be able to really compete for those same recruits that other schools get to compete for. Also, Pittsburgh has the pleasure of being almost smack dab in the middle of Penn State and Ohio State, with both of those schools trying to come into Pittsburgh and rip away all the elite recruits, as they have done for many years. Narduzzi has been trying to make it a point to keep kids in town, but as he is new, I’m not sure it has worked (besides Whitehead and Damar Hamlin). As Pitt squads contend more in the ACC, they should have no trouble keeping kids in town.
The Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team:
Shocky Jacques-Louis. Shocky. Are you kidding me? As a parent what goes through your mind when you decide a good name for your baby boy is Shocky.
Alcohol Prediction for Fans By Seasons End: A shot of mysterious hard liquor in your cabinet that hasn’t been touched in years. You’re not exactly sure what you’re gonna get and it hasn’t reached it’s full potential in years, maybe decades.
Outlook: Pitt has a brutal non conference schedule this season. Week 2 they get to host rival Penn State. They won the game 2 years ago, but will most likely not do it again. In addition they have to play on the road against reigning national champion, UCF. In a third brutal non conference game, they must travel to South Bend to play Notre Dame. This will most likely not be the year Pitt returns to contention. This must be a building year for their young roster as they fight to make a bowl game.