New Commit
- Thread starter Macchiato
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I don’t think he is coming in to be a back up. By the Texas site he was considered the top remaining line backer transfer.
https://hookemheadlines.com/2019/04/30/texas-football-4-best-remaining-lb-transfer-prospects/amp/5/
https://hookemheadlines.com/2019/04/30/texas-football-4-best-remaining-lb-transfer-prospects/amp/5/
2 deep at FLA and a 2 game starter translates into a starter at Pitt. He isn't leaving Florida to be a backup here.
I can't really imagine why they felt they needed a grad transfer lb unless someone is leaving, hurt or not performing. I agree he isn't coming to be a back up, but we all heard good things about both guys on the outside.... Hmmm. Interesting turn of events if true. I still haven't seen any outlets reporting this officially.
whats soo hard to understand......... another body .
He is gonna be Narduzzi's secret weapon.
Right. Which means he was promised the inside track which means either Pine, Cam, or whoever the projected starter was is getting bumped back. I'm all for competition I just thought they were happy with what they already had at the position. Hope if he is the Pat Signal he comes in lighting it up.
Are you drunk? My point was stated very clearly. A team as short on scholarships( believe they are at their limit) as Pitt doesn't take a transfer unless there is immediate need. Especially a redshirt senior. I didn't consider outside linebacker an immediate need hence the curiosity. Not looking for an argument here pal. Just using a message board for the purpose it was created for. Not to mention this whole conversation is speculative in nature because I've yet to see a reputable outlet confirm that he is even the recent commit.
If this is true I think it's troubling. Needing to shore up a linebacking crew with a grad transfer in year 5 of his regime does not speak well of the talent Narduzzi has been able to attract. Accepting new/more talent is fine but relying on grad transfers to become starters is not a good sign.
Maybe that someone leaving was McKee. Narduzzi’s quote about the Star spot when McKee left:
“We’re toying with stuff. Obviously, [McKee] wasn’t a starter, but we’re going to mess with Phil Campbell in some of that role,” Narduzzi said. “We think Cam Bright’s going to be pretty good there, too. But it would’ve been nice to have a three-man competition out there.”
I’m not troubled by it. If you have the available scholarship, why not take a shot and bring in additional talent. We’re too much of a sky is falling group. If this is the move, I like it!
Exactly. Not only talent acquisition but development too.
On one hand, what does it say to prospective HS recruits who look at our roster and see that we are constantly replacing our previous stock of HS recruits with grad transfers? Coaches must not be good enough to develop what they already have?
On the other hand, in today’s day and age, grad transfers are becoming part of the norm I guess. I am ok with filling a hole or two but it seems like we do more than that.
Do the big boys use as many grad transfers as Pitt? Are we out of line? What do the numbers say? Maybe my perspective is wrong?
Huge get. An SEC LBer to help sure up the defense? Yes please. This upcoming season is starting to look like Narduzzi’s masterpiece.
Not to mention he’s on fire right now on the recruiting trail.
Not to mention he’s on fire right now on the recruiting trail.
Frequent grad and regular transfers definitely are more the norm, more and more every year. It shouldn't be either particularly exciting nor alarming, for fans or players alike. It's merely the new way of doing business in the sport.
I don't think it's exactly a secret that nobody particularly thinks much of our LB corp. It's pretty much seen as the weak link of our defense, particularly our insistence to use them in coverage. So not exactly surprising that a transfer from a blue blood might not hold some appeal.
I don't think it's exactly a secret that nobody particularly thinks much of our LB corp. It's pretty much seen as the weak link of our defense, particularly our insistence to use them in coverage. So not exactly surprising that a transfer from a blue blood might not hold some appeal.
Ah yes....the glass is always half empty post. In 2019, Major Division 1 Programs across the country have added Grad Transfers. Pitt adds a player from one of the top programs in the country and you find something negative.
I wouldn't mind it as much if it was a transfer from a lower school that had studded out and was looking to go up in competition his final season. There's nothing wrong with adding a stud, and that really isn't an indictment against the current talent.
Adding a player that's done nothing and probably penciling him into the starting spot? Somewhat alarming that such a "talent" is needed. But if he's needed, he's needed. Better to have him in that case than not have him.
He has no freaking clue. Guess Oklahoma is in bad shape taking grad transfer QB Jalen Hurts. Miami took grad transfer DE Trevon Hill and I could list tons more.
And guess what? Alabama was recruiting our grad transfer TE (see link below). Guess ole Nick needs to sure up his recruiting since he has to go after grad transfers.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/247spo...n-Tide-after-grad-transfer-TE--129064701/Amp/
I wonder who is not coming back as I thought we were at the scholarship limit? Anyways the kid will bring in more talent and comp. Pitt has nothing to lose as the ship will be free next year even if he doesn’t work out.
Thought I read where this guy had some decent stats for his playing time as a redshirt freshman - something like 1 sack and 5 tackles for loss... Then he had injury issues...
I see them subbing a ton with the linebackers — if nothing else he adds depth and could be very important when (not if) we have injuries...
He is just below a starter on a pretty damn good defense in the best conference in the country. Good enough that he has started 2 out of 13 games last season, so it's not like they move a different guy to that spot when starter is hurt. I would bet he starts on 100 different d1 teams he will likely be Pitts best or second best lb
Also while Pitts current starters are probably c or c + players there is a very good chance this guy is a b- player. It's a good way to make a small improvement to the team in a very important year for PN.
No - this was not a glass half empty post. If this kid has talent it's a good thing to go and get him. The point I was trying to make (assuming this report is true) was that I find it troubling that we're still having to plug starting positions with grad transfers at this point in Narduzzi's tenure.
I know the grad transfer thing is a new part of the college football landscape and a staff would be foolish to not pick up talented players that can help them. I want to see as much talent as possible.
With that said I'm happy to have an influx of talent whether it's in the form of a freshman recruit or a graduate transfer. But at the same time I don't think it reflects positively in regard to the quality of recruiting we've seen over the past five years.
I think saying, "Everybody takes transfers" is lazy.
Look at the two transfers listed above. One was a productive starting QB that was beat out by what is maybe the Number 1 Pick in the NFL Draft. The other was maybe the best pure sack specialist in the ACC that was kicked out of his school, it had nothing to do with talent/production. Taking these guys doesn't really say anything about the talent level at those schools.
Read the write up on him from the Gator site:
"Though the Gators were thin at linebacker last season, Johnson did not see much action other than as a reserve."
This wasn't some highly sought after recruit that went to a power house team and was just could't crack the depth chart because he had a bunch of 5* players ahead of him, like some are trying to make it seem, and like what you currently see with the transfer model.
This was a middle of the road 3* recruit, that was wanted by average schools, that Florida reached for with its transition class because it had no choice. He then does nothing at UF, even when the depth chart was razor thin.
Ideally, you'd have a LB core where you don't need this kind of average player. There is really no DL that doesn't need Hill. There are only a few teams that couldn't use Hurts.
But we apparently do need him, so I'm glad to have him. But the one poster's point is well taken. While Hill doesn't say anything about Miami's DEs, this guy does probably say something about our LB core.
The LB unit lacks depth and experience. Even is the 3 guys penciled in right now as starters are up to the task, there’s not much behind them. Good to he a guy who knows his way around and won’t embarrass himself in a game even if he’s unlikely to be an impact player.
Lots of speculation and opinions formed off that speculation in this thread.
He's a transfer at a position where we lost both starting OLBs. If he's good enough to start he will, if not he'll provide depth. One of 85 ships for the upcoming year. Not a big deal and certainly not a negative.
He's a transfer at a position where we lost both starting OLBs. If he's good enough to start he will, if not he'll provide depth. One of 85 ships for the upcoming year. Not a big deal and certainly not a negative.
Geez, why can’t everybody be partially correct on this one?
Pitt’s LB recruiting has been lousy, and their play on the field hasn’t been much better. Not sure why it hurts so much to admit this.
If Johnson ends up starting and being their best at the position so be it. Any infusion of talent at a position of need should be celebrated. At least it shows the staff knows they need improvement at LB and is taking steps to do something about it.
Pitt’s LB recruiting has been lousy, and their play on the field hasn’t been much better. Not sure why it hurts so much to admit this.
If Johnson ends up starting and being their best at the position so be it. Any infusion of talent at a position of need should be celebrated. At least it shows the staff knows they need improvement at LB and is taking steps to do something about it.
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