Pitt has an ok group of offensive players returning. In order of job security, Morrisey is a stud. Pickett, Hargrove, Mack, Kradel, Jacques-Louis are in the next group of average to good ACC players. Wayne and Vincent Davis showed some flashes. Warren fell below the average mark IMO and that job should be wide open.
Tackle (x2)
Favorites: Carter Warren and Keldrick Wilson
Darkhorses: Gabe Houy, Matt Goncalves, Carson Van Lynn
Warren was not good in his first year as a starter but was just a sophomore. Wilson is a highly sought after FCS tackle that probably didn’t come here to sit on the bench. There are a lot of bodies here. Houy lost his job as a guard to Kradel but earned a fair amount of playing time at tackle platooning with Ulizio. In addition to the players mentioned, Liam Dick is a large kid with potential. Converted TE’s Collier and Carrigan will get opportunities in “heavy” packages
Identifying and developing two tackles into at least serviceable ACC players is one of the most critical components of a successful season.
Tight End:
Favorite: Lucas Krull
Darkhorse: Kyi Wright
The transfer market has been somewhat disappointing (despite three of them recently making the nfl Garner, Flannigan, Griffin-Stewart) but then staff is rolling the dice again with Lucas Krull out of Florida and JUCO Daniel Moraga. There’s a lot of hype building on Krull. He looks like Tarzan. It would be nice to have a productive tight end at Pitt again. Pitt had a solid run from at least Kris Wilson through Scott Orndoff.
Freshman Kyi Wright looks like a good athlete but it’s unknown if he can block at the acc level. Kaymar Mimes is still just a sophomore as well but has about 5 position changes between DE and TE.
Running Back
Favorite: Vincent Davis
Dark horse: Israel Abanikanda
Unless there is a breakout stud, I’m not sure it really matters who starts. V. Davis finished the year on a high note and A. Davis on a very low one. I’m not sold on either. I actually liked what Sibley showed in his limited opportunities but the kid cannot stay on the field. The freshman Abanikanda drew praise very early in spring ball but I’m not sure there was enough time to leapfrog guys. The former 4 star Daniel Carter is still just a freshman as well.
Backup QB
Favorite: Nick Patti
Backup: Joey Yellen
Pickett is a tough kid but sometimes subjects his body to some big time hits. The Delaware game was not ideal to be polite. However it was Pattis first start, as a freshman and he wasn’t that bad and the team won. Nonetheless, the team needs a stronger option at backup. Beville is a big kid but a spring game would have told us a lot more about him. Both of these kids looked like ok prospects but the boy Yellen looked very good in PAC 12 action. If the transfer penalty is waived, I would imagine yellen slides into the QB2 slot.
WR3
Favorite: Jared Wayne
Dark horse: Addison
Barring injury, I think Mack and Jacques-Louis be starters. Jared Wayne looks natural out there but there are a lot of bodies. Freshman Addison is highly regarded. Dontavious Butler-Jenkins has earned time over the years. Michael Smith has yet to be heard from. A number of other freshmen (Gipson, Henningham, Barden) are in the mix. Even ol Tipton is back. He makes Sibley look like an iron man, but he’s back for another year on the ‘ship.
Whoever it is, I pray they do a better job just catching the ball. The team left a horrific amount of points and yards on the field last year just due to drops, fumbles and penalties- especially on the offense.
Tackle (x2)
Favorites: Carter Warren and Keldrick Wilson
Darkhorses: Gabe Houy, Matt Goncalves, Carson Van Lynn
Warren was not good in his first year as a starter but was just a sophomore. Wilson is a highly sought after FCS tackle that probably didn’t come here to sit on the bench. There are a lot of bodies here. Houy lost his job as a guard to Kradel but earned a fair amount of playing time at tackle platooning with Ulizio. In addition to the players mentioned, Liam Dick is a large kid with potential. Converted TE’s Collier and Carrigan will get opportunities in “heavy” packages
Identifying and developing two tackles into at least serviceable ACC players is one of the most critical components of a successful season.
Tight End:
Favorite: Lucas Krull
Darkhorse: Kyi Wright
The transfer market has been somewhat disappointing (despite three of them recently making the nfl Garner, Flannigan, Griffin-Stewart) but then staff is rolling the dice again with Lucas Krull out of Florida and JUCO Daniel Moraga. There’s a lot of hype building on Krull. He looks like Tarzan. It would be nice to have a productive tight end at Pitt again. Pitt had a solid run from at least Kris Wilson through Scott Orndoff.
Freshman Kyi Wright looks like a good athlete but it’s unknown if he can block at the acc level. Kaymar Mimes is still just a sophomore as well but has about 5 position changes between DE and TE.
Running Back
Favorite: Vincent Davis
Dark horse: Israel Abanikanda
Unless there is a breakout stud, I’m not sure it really matters who starts. V. Davis finished the year on a high note and A. Davis on a very low one. I’m not sold on either. I actually liked what Sibley showed in his limited opportunities but the kid cannot stay on the field. The freshman Abanikanda drew praise very early in spring ball but I’m not sure there was enough time to leapfrog guys. The former 4 star Daniel Carter is still just a freshman as well.
Backup QB
Favorite: Nick Patti
Backup: Joey Yellen
Pickett is a tough kid but sometimes subjects his body to some big time hits. The Delaware game was not ideal to be polite. However it was Pattis first start, as a freshman and he wasn’t that bad and the team won. Nonetheless, the team needs a stronger option at backup. Beville is a big kid but a spring game would have told us a lot more about him. Both of these kids looked like ok prospects but the boy Yellen looked very good in PAC 12 action. If the transfer penalty is waived, I would imagine yellen slides into the QB2 slot.
WR3
Favorite: Jared Wayne
Dark horse: Addison
Barring injury, I think Mack and Jacques-Louis be starters. Jared Wayne looks natural out there but there are a lot of bodies. Freshman Addison is highly regarded. Dontavious Butler-Jenkins has earned time over the years. Michael Smith has yet to be heard from. A number of other freshmen (Gipson, Henningham, Barden) are in the mix. Even ol Tipton is back. He makes Sibley look like an iron man, but he’s back for another year on the ‘ship.
Whoever it is, I pray they do a better job just catching the ball. The team left a horrific amount of points and yards on the field last year just due to drops, fumbles and penalties- especially on the offense.
