Is Narduzzi Going Full-blown Belichick Mode?

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

The "culture over all" recipe also worked last year because Clemson was down. If Trevor Lawrence (a 5 star recruit) decided to come back for a senior year, we probably weren't winning the ACC. Heck, we probably would have had an extra regular season loss and would not have even won the Coastal.

That's exactly what concerns me. Our defense has been "ACC good" for a while, and I'm not underselling that. But the next step to becoming a national player is getting even better players. If I go back and look at Narduzzi's history against nationally-relevant teams, the defense hasn't shown up nearly as effectively. 2020 (52 against Clemson and 45 against Notre Dame... can't recall if all the points surrendered were defensively, but both teams could have gotten to damn near 100 if they wanted to) being the most recent example.

 

[lilspainishflea]

The "culture over all" recipe also worked last year because Clemson was down. If Trevor Lawrence (a 5 star recruit) decided to come back for a senior year, we probably weren't winning the ACC. Heck, we probably would have had an extra regular season loss and would not have even won the Coastal.

Kind of a fake hypothetical because kids of Lawrence's ability nearly always go to the NFL.

And after Fitzgerald and McCoy leaving Pitt after only 2 years, we were due for some luck anyway.

 

[4upmc]

It’s probably the best way to handle things in our position. Reward the guys that have proven themselves. The exception would be a superstar recruit that you have a really good relationship with and he fits the culture.

I doubt it will be announced but Pitt probably did that to keep guys like Kancey, Dennis, Haba, Hill etc. I agree reward guys who are proven and loyal. We tried with JA but we know the story and won’t win a bidding war with USC.

As far as that exception my guess is 5 star Williams is the one we are trying to strike a deal with but it’s still really tough comp who most likely will have deeper pockets.

 

[lilspainishflea]

That's exactly what concerns me. Our defense has been "ACC good" for a while, and I'm not underselling that. But the next step to becoming a national player is getting even better players. If I go back and look at Narduzzi's history against nationally-relevant teams, the defense hasn't shown up nearly as effectively. 2020 (52 against Clemson and 45 against Notre Dame... can't recall if all the points surrendered were defensively, but both teams could have gotten to damn near 100 if they wanted to) being the most recent example.

Come on, man. Clemson played for the national championship that year and that game was mostly on Pitt's offense, who put up less than 250 yards and 5 turnovers on 63 offensive plays. Against ND, it was 162 yards and our QB was Joey Yellen. Neither of those games were on the defense.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Come on, man. Clemson played for the national championship that year and that game was mostly on Pitt's offense, who put up less than 250 yards and 5 turnovers on 63 offensive players. Against ND, it was 162 yards and our QB was Joey Yellen. Neither of those games were on the defense.

The defense absolutely has some culpability, especially in that Notre Dame game. Did you watch it? I ask that sincerely, as I assume most people turned it off. They could have named the score. And the theme has been consistent in games where we've faced some more prominent offenses (Clemson in 2016, 2018, and 2020; Ok State in 2017; UCF in 2018; Notre Dame in 2020; etc.). Not a huge deal, and I get that it's an offensive game and everybody scores against everybody. But it you don't think there are plenty of tiers between our average defense under Narduzzi and what Georgia was last year, then I strongly disagree. I'm not asking to be Georgia; I just want to see continual improvement in our program.

 

[lilspainishflea]

The defense absolutely has some culpability, especially in that Notre Dame game. Did you watch it? I ask that sincerely, as I assume most people turned it off. They could have named the score. And the theme has been consistent in games where we've faced some more prominent offenses (Clemson in 2016, 2018, and 2020; Ok State in 2017; UCF in 2018; Notre Dame in 2020; etc.). Not a huge deal, and I get that it's an offensive game and everybody scores against everybody. But it you don't think there are plenty of tiers between our average defense under Narduzzi and what Georgia was last year, then I strongly disagree. I'm not asking to be Georgia; I just want to see continual improvement in our program.

Everyone has some culpability in a loss but when your offense puts up 3 yards per play and has 6 giveaways, it's impossible for me to honestly criticize the defense. Notre Dame had 3 scoring drives of under 50 yards and a blocked punt TD. So again, other units were plenty responsible.

The defense is what it is. It's an extremely high risk, high reward system. Plus keep in mind that Whipple had us throwing 50 times per game. Sometimes that meant 3 and outs, sometimes it meant long TDs. That scheme probably isn't a good fit for what Narduzzi plays on defense.

I think they've shown continuous improvement under Narduzzi to the point that they basically shut down nearly all bad offenses. Sometimes it doesn't work against great offenses but it's not like anyone else stopped those teams either.

 

[Burgh15]

I follow recruiting, just not that closely. Obviously for Pitt to take the next step and maintain a spot at the top of the ACC they need a balance of a strong culture and better athletes.

 

[cashisking884]

I don’t buy the idea that we just filled up the position and canceled visits.

Not in a year without IC limits.

Teams are loading up at positions with numbers they usually don’t, because you can just process out the stiffs currently on the roster.

There’s no reason to turn anybody away this year.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I don’t buy the idea that we just filled up the position and canceled visits.

Not in a year without IC limits.

Teams are loading up at positions with numbers they usually don’t, because you can just process out the stiffs currently on the roster.

There’s no reason to turn anybody away this year.

Well that's exactly what we did. For example, we accepted three linebacker commits. We then communicated to Dunn and the Harris twins that we are full at the position. Now they're not visiting. It was different for Smith, as he is committing to Tennessee and is the one who initiated the cancellation.

I don't get why people find that so hard to believe. That's how recruiting works. Would it make you guys feel better if Pitt is viewed so poorly that seven guys just happened to cancel their free visits here this weekend?

For some of the bigger schools, I'm sure they would just host these guys anyway and then push a former commit out if they liked one of these guys better. But it's clear that Narduzzi A) Doesn't really operate that way (though we did kind of do it with Statham and Grosse last year) and B) Has his own grading scale that doesn't align with either recruiting sites (i.e. rankings) or other P5 coaches (i.e. offers), which is why I am comparing him to Belichick a bit in that sense.

 

[cashisking884]

I don't get why people find that so hard to believe. That's how recruiting works. Would it make you guys feel better if Pitt is viewed so poorly that seven guys just happened to cancel their free visits here this weekend?

I’m not sure why your alternative argument, that the Pitt coaches are the one school not processing scrubs out and are turning away much needed talent in order to take the same kind of players that aren’t allowing the program to go to the next level, would make us feel any better?

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I’m not sure why your alternative argument, that the Pitt coaches are the one school not processing scrubs out and are turning away much needed talent in order to take the same kind of players that aren’t allowing the program to go to the next level, would make us feel any better?

Because they're not scrubs in Narduzzi's eyes. He wants system guys with good attitudes. But is that going to get us over the hump?

 

[cashisking884]

Because they're not scrubs in Narduzzi's eyes. He wants system guys with good attitudes. But is that going to get us over the hump?

Right, but you’re saying they are scrubs.

Your argument is that the talent on the roster isn’t good enough to take us to the next level. Especially if we aren’t going to have a generational QB every year. And there’s obviously validity to that argument.

And now you’re saying that Narduzzi is purposely not upgrading the talent. He’s actually turning away the guys that would be a talent upgrade, and filling up the roster with more of the same.

Where’s the comfort in that?

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Right, but you’re saying they are scrubs.

Your argument is that the talent on the roster isn’t good enough to take us to the next level. Especially if we aren’t going to have a generational QB every year. And there’s obviously validity to that argument.

And now you’re saying that Narduzzi is purposely not upgrading the talent. He’s actually turning away the guys that would be a talent upgrade, and filling up the roster with more of the same.

Where’s the comfort in that?

Nobody is saying they're scrubs; that's a silly exaggeration. I'm saying that Narduzzi is prioritizing fit and character over raw talent. Unless you think that the recruiting sites and 40 P5 coaches are wrong, of course (hey, maybe they are).

I guess time will tell if what we're doing right now is more effective than what, for example, Louisville is doing.

 

[cashisking884]

I guess time will tell if what we're doing right now is more effective than what, for example, Louisville is doing.

Some on the board are saying we didn’t drop these kids. Bigger programs and $$$$ stepped in.

Doesnt Lville’s huge jump in recruiting kind of make that plausible?
They have gone all in with NIL. And are now attracting recruits they never could have before.

In a world where even the Lville’s of the world are a dangerous threat on the trail, why is it so hard to believe that the coaches didn’t drop these kids, the lure of the potential riches that even some mid-level programs now have, took over?

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Some on the board are saying we didn’t drop these kids. Bigger programs and $$$$ stepped in.

Doesnt Lville’s huge jump in recruiting kind of make that plausible?
They have gone all in with NIL. And are now attracting recruits they never could have before.

In a world where even the Lville’s of the world are a dangerous threat on the trail, why is it so hard to believe that the coaches didn’t drop these kids, the lure of the potential riches that even some mid-level programs now have, took over?

Okay, so if I want to play this game...

You're saying no one in our class is good enough to warrant a handsome NIL deal, right? Since NIL deals automatically preclude anyone from coming to Pitt, evidently.

Again, you guys are wayyyyyy off in who you think is getting this money. Louisville has the top running back in the nation. Yes, he's going to get NIL money. The 500th player in the nation - albeit a pretty nice ranking - is not getting "bought."

 

[joeydavid]

Because they're not scrubs in Narduzzi's eyes. He wants system guys with good attitudes. But is that going to get us over the hump?

Maybe one day Pitt can win an ACC Championship...

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

So Robinson, the DB that was CB'd to Pitt and is no longer visiting this weekend, was recently CB'd to WF after visiting them last weekend. Are we to believe he cancelled or the staff cancelled his visit? I would venture a guess that he cancelled after his Wake visit.

 

[pittdan77]

Well that's exactly what we did. For example, we accepted three linebacker commits. We then communicated to Dunn and the Harris twins that we are full at the position.

Dunn committed to Kansas State two days ago as a safety. If Pitt was recruiting him at LB and he wanted to play safety, guess why he cancelled? He also wasn't a "stud" LB recruit by anyone's measure. Heck, TOS has him rated lower than Lovelace.

I can't tell if you're trying to troll or not but if not, your insider information sucks.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Dunn committed to Kansas State two days ago as a safety. If Pitt was recruiting him at LB and he wanted to play safety, guess why he cancelled? He also wasn't a "stud" LB recruit by anyone's measure. Heck, TOS has him rated lower than Lovelace.

I can't tell if you're trying to troll or not but if not, your insider information sucks.

Okay, porky. Wonder if he committed there after his spot was filled here. Same with the dude you'll see commit to Wake tomorrow.

 

[joeydavid]

Okay, porky. Wonder if he committed there after his spot was filled here. Same with the dude you'll see commit to Wake tomorrow.

Recruiting is always a fluid thing. The fans have no clue how a staff views a prospect and the recruiting services are not much better once you get past the top 100.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

Guys are too worried about "LB" size. The guy that plays the strongside LB has to be a runner. I'd guess that he usually is not in the box 75% of the time. A kid like Lovelace who is 6'2-6'3 with wide shoulders and excellent range will carry 220-230lbs by the time he needs to contribute. The plus side is he has the range and length most guys don't have at 18 and 215-230lbs.

We have had dominant DT's going back to Tyre Young - Mick Williams - Aaron Donald - Jalen Twyman - Calijiah Kancey - etc. All of these guys were and are considered undersized.

You want athletes - period. There is a minimum standard for size but it's more about speed and growth potential.

 

[pittdan77]

Okay, porky. Wonder if he committed there after his spot was filled here. Same with the dude you'll see commit to Wake tomorrow.

Porky? How clever.

Just admit you are full of crap and move on. "The safety didn't commit at linebacker because Narduzzi is doing Belichick stuff." Uh huh. You should probably also explain who the three LB's are that are already committed. There aren't any recruits that are listed at LB besides Lovelace. Just another hole in your story, I guess.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Okay, porky. Wonder if he committed there after his spot was filled here. Same with the dude you'll see commit to Wake tomorrow.

I think there's little chance that Pitt's is done recruiting DBs. In fact, I'd expect several more will be taken in this class.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Porky? How clever.

Just admit you are full of crap and move on. "The safety didn't commit at linebacker because Narduzzi is doing Belichick stuff." Uh huh. You should probably also explain who the three LB's are that are already committed. There aren't any recruits that are listed at LB besides Lovelace. Just another hole in your story, I guess.

You keep trying to spin this into a point I'm not trying to make. No shit we have three commits. My point was they have light offer sheets compared to the other guys who were going to visit, so I'm surprised we accepted their commitments before at least getting them (the higher-rated players with more offers from pedigreed football schools) on campus. Clearly, Narduzzi has a grading system that differs from about 30 other P5 coaches (going by offer sheets), and it reminds me of Belichick.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I think there's little chance that Pitt's is done recruiting DBs. In fact, I'd expect several more will be taken in this class.

Jesse Anderson and/or the dude who they just added to this week's list, perhaps.

Offensive line needs to be the focus right now. It's cost us successful seasons when the defense was more than good enough (2019 being the best example).

 

[pittdan77]

You keep trying to spin this into a point I'm not trying to make. No shit we have three commits. My point was they have light offer sheets compared to the other guys who were going to visit, so I'm surprised we accepted their commitments before at least getting them (the higher-rated players with more offers from pedigreed football schools) on campus. Clearly, Narduzzi has a grading system that differs from about 30 other P5 coaches (going by offer sheets), and it reminds me of Belichick.

Pitt doesn't have three commitments at LB so nobody committed prior to the staff getting better or higher-rated players on campus at that position. You're also trying to use a kid that committed to another school at safety as an example of Pitt's failure who isn't even rated higher than the one kid Pitt does have at LB in this class. There isn't any spin here. I don't really think you have a firm grasp on your argument. There is an outside chance that what you're saying could be true but it is highly unlikely.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Pitt doesn't have three commitments at LB so nobody committed prior to the staff getting better or higher-rated players on campus at that position. You're also trying to use a kid that committed to another school at safety as an example of Pitt's failure who isn't even rated higher than the one kid Pitt does have at LB in this class. There isn't any spin here. I don't really think you have a firm grasp on your argument. There is an outside chance that what you're saying could be true but it is highly unlikely.

Yes, we do have three linebackers. Bass is the third.

 

[pittdan77]

Yes, we do have three linebackers. Bass is the third.

Assuming your secret information on a guy that hasn't publicly committed yet is true, why do you think he's inferior to a guy like Dunn?

 

[4upmc]

@pittdan77 I think you are right that the OP has to be trolling.

As you see he ignored my question numerous times to provide proof Pitt canceled on some of these higher rates recruits…

BUT all of the sudden we have a 4 star (according to 24/7) DB/S from FL visiting this weekend. This shoots down his whole theory we canceled on 4 star DB/S Matthews. As I said Matthews canceled on Pitt after he got his O$U offer, to go along with L$U and other big name offers.

Florida 4-Star Safety Jaremiah Anglin Making Official Visit to Pitt

On the eve of their final official visit weekend of June, Pitt has added a big name to their guest list. 2023 four-star safety Jaremiah Anglin told Pittsburgh Sports Now that he’s decided to travel to Pittsburgh for the weekend. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety from Lake Wales, Florida holds an...

pittsburghsportsnow.com

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

@pittdan77 I think you are right that the OP has to be trolling.

As you see he ignored my question numerous times to provide proof Pitt canceled on some of these higher rates recruits…

BUT all of the sudden we have a 4 star (according to 24/7) DB/S from FL visiting this weekend. This shoots down his whole theory we canceled on 4 star DB/S Matthews. As I said Matthews canceled on Pitt after he got his O$U offer, to go along with L$U and other big name offers.

Florida 4-Star Safety Jaremiah Anglin Making Official Visit to Pitt

On the eve of their final official visit weekend of June, Pitt has added a big name to their guest list. 2023 four-star safety Jaremiah Anglin told Pittsburgh Sports Now that he’s decided to travel to Pittsburgh for the weekend. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety from Lake Wales, Florida holds an...

pittsburghsportsnow.com

Anglin is a stud. He would be an excellent get. Hopefully Brandon Hill spends some time with him.

 

[4upmc]

Anglin is a stud. He would be an excellent get. Hopefully Brandon Hill spends some time with him.

Has serious big name offers but yes B Hill would be a nice guy to spend time with. Hill being a FL kid on his way to the NFL.

But it can’t be right that he’s visiting….According to the OP PN is canceling visits with highly recruited kids.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Because they're not scrubs in Narduzzi's eyes. He wants system guys with good attitudes. But is that going to get us over the hump?

You mean like winning the ACC?

 

[joeydavid]

@pittdan77 I think you are right that the OP has to be trolling.

As you see he ignored my question numerous times to provide proof Pitt canceled on some of these higher rates recruits…

BUT all of the sudden we have a 4 star (according to 24/7) DB/S from FL visiting this weekend. This shoots down his whole theory we canceled on 4 star DB/S Matthews. As I said Matthews canceled on Pitt after he got his O$U offer, to go along with L$U and other big name offers.

Florida 4-Star Safety Jaremiah Anglin Making Official Visit to Pitt

On the eve of their final official visit weekend of June, Pitt has added a big name to their guest list. 2023 four-star safety Jaremiah Anglin told Pittsburgh Sports Now that he’s decided to travel to Pittsburgh for the weekend. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety from Lake Wales, Florida holds an...

pittsburghsportsnow.com

On Nick Farabaugh's last podcast he seems to think Pitt canceled the LBers because they are now full for 2023 with 3.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

On Nick Farabaugh's last podcast he seems to think Pitt canceled the LBers because they are now full for 2023 with 3.

The Harris twins, in particular Andrew is a really good player. That would be a big mistake if true.

 

[joeydavid]

The Harris twins, in particular Andrew is a really good player. That would be a big mistake if true.

My initial thought was the coaches must really like Lovelace, Biles and Bass.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

My initial thought was the coaches must really like Lovelace, Biles and Bass.

Andrew Harris, UCF Knights, Linebacker

Born in Jamaica where he and his twin brother grew up playing soccer ... Also does track and field at the high school level and reports an offer to run/throw...

247sports.com

His film and measurables are off the charts.

 

[deepelemblues]

Of course OP is trolling lol the endless passive aggressiveness and "that's not what I meant" are hallmarks

 

[4upmc]

On Nick Farabaugh's last podcast he seems to think Pitt canceled the LBers because they are now full for 2023 with 3.

Nothing against Nick, I like when he tweets actual facts about Pitt. But these so called experts mainly give their opinions. Nick is what all of 22…? He may want to state he is giving his opinion. Otherwise I don’t see any quotes from these actual recruits saying Pitt canceled on them. If the twins say it ok…but otherwise it’s just speculation.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Assuming your secret information on a guy that hasn't publicly committed yet is true, why do you think he's inferior to a guy like Dunn?

Bass? I don't at all. I think he could be one of the prizes of the class.

 

[joeydavid]

Anglin is a stud. He would be an excellent get. Hopefully Brandon Hill spends some time with him.

And this guy.