As I said in my other mid-year reviews, I’m using a 4 letter grade scale to measure each position group against the rest of the ACC. An “A” grade means the position group is one of the top 3 in the ACC, a “B” means the group is between 4th and 6th, a “C” means the position group is between 7th and 10th, and a D means the group is one the 4 worst in the ACC, 11th through 14th.
Safety. 2019 Field Safety/Boundary Safety Projection: A/B. Field Safety/Boundary Safety Mid-Year Grade: A/A.
PRE-SEASON PREVIEW: Safety has probably been the second weakest position group in the Narduzzi era after TE, but last year Damar Hamlin broke out at Field Safety and changed the trajectory. There’s also real reason for optimism about Boundary Safety now that RS. So Paris Ford appears to be ready to take over. Sr. Damar Hamlin was a 4 star R250 (#126, #7 Safety) prospect who was legitimately being pursued by Urban Meyer and Brian Kelly until signing day. Despite lingering injuries limiting his first two seasons, he was unable redshirt and he’s already facing his final year of eligibility.
During his first two seasons, Hamlin’s production was modest, but last year he was finally healthy and he took full advantage. Hamlin led the team with 90 tackles and tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions to go along with 3 TFLs and 4 PBUs. Hamlin started a little slow last season, but he heads into his final year projected to be one of the best free safeties in the ACC, provided he can improve his PBUs.
Sr. Jazee Stocker is likely the top back up at both Boundary and Field if either starter goes down. Stocker was productive with 43 tackles and 4 PBUs as a reserve safety last season. Hamlin’s former high school teammate RS. Jr. Bricen Garner and fellow local prospect RS. Jr. Therron Coleman are likely to compete for the final safety spot on the 2 deep.
At Boundary Safety Paris Ford appears ready to take over. Ford is Narduzzi’s top rated recruit to date as a former 6.0, 4 Star, R250 (#51, #5 Safety) Under Armor All American. Ford’s physical ability has never been in question, but the transition from high school to a Power 5 playbook was bumpy. Ford showed flashes as a reserve CB late last season, but he had a tremendous spring after being moved to his more natural Boundary Safety position after the bowl.
After having perhaps the least impactful strong safety group in the ACC last season, it’s easy to see Ford leading the team with 90 tackles and multiple interceptions in 2019. Hamlin has shown it can be done and Ford is at least an equal talent.
MID-YEAR REVIEW: This is definitely the best group of Safeties we’ve had in the Narduzzi era, though honestly, every defensive position group this year is the best it’s been. Clemson and UVA are both top 10 defenses nationally, but Pitt is not far behind (#15 in S&P+ defense) and a big reason is Safety play. We legitimately have two top 6 Safeties in the ACC.
Paris Ford might even be exceeding our lofty expectations. I am hesitant to say this, but Ford might actually be the ACC’s best Safety so far. His numbers are better than Joey Blount (UVA) and Myles Dorn (UNC), who likely lay claim to the top spot if it’s not Ford. He still freelances too much, and he’s got to keep himself under control, but his raw talent is off the charts and his numbers are fantastic. Ford leads Pitt with 45 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble, and 4 PBU.
Ford has the physical talent and numbers to get drafted this year, but he would do well by himself to stay for at least another season. We’ll all need to hold our breath and see what he does this spring. Damar Hamlin has performed at an incredibly high level too. His tackle numbers are down through 6 games (30 tackles vs. the 90 he had last season), but that’s not really reflective of his play.
Hamlin hasn’t been required to make as many tackles primarily because Ford and the LBs have done a much better job controlling the short and medium mid-field passes and runs up the middle. Hamlin is still looking for his first interception of the year and his PBU numbers have never been impressive, but he’s a top 6 Safety without a doubt. Jazzee Stocker is also making the most of his opportunities, which have primarily come on the 3rd down Delta package, adding 12 tackles, 1 QBH, and 1 PBU.
Here's the poll question - is Paris Ford the best Safety in the ACC?
CB. 2019 Projection A. Mid-Year Grade: A.
PRE-SEASON PREVIEW: Narduzzi’s defense asks a lot of its CBs, especially in the pass-happy ACC, but CB was the best unit on the defense last season. Sr. Dane Jackson and Jr. Jason Pinnock return as Pitt’s starters after a very successful 2018 campaign. Although the overall passing stats show Pitt coming in at 46th in yards allowed, most of the damage came from very poor OLB and Boundary Safety pass coverage, a chronic issue under Narduzzi.
In fact, Pro Football Focus named Dane Jackson a “Superstar” CB ranking him the 4th best CB in the ACC last year, he was also Honorable Mention All-ACC. Jackson led Pitt with a very strong 16 PBUs (UVA’s Bryce Hall led FBS with 20), and added 47 tackles and 4 TFLs. He’ll be an early round pick in April.
Jr. Jason Pinnock returns as the starter opposite Jackson. He had some injuries that kept him out early last season, and he’s being pushed by Jr. Damarri Mathis, but Pinnock is expected to start. Pinnock compiled 15 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 8 PBUs, and tied Hamlin with 2 interceptions, including one at Notre Dame.
Mathis is a “third starter” according to Narduzzi, but he is expected to back up Jackson and Pinnock. Mathis started 2 games last season and had 18 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1 interception, and 1 PBU. Coaches frequently say the players show the most growth between their sophomore and junior years, and Pinnock and Mathis are already among the best young CBs in the ACC.
MID-YEAR REVIEW: Jason Pinnock has been injured, but Dane Jackson and Damarri Mathis are still a top 3 CB unit in the ACC. Pitt is #6 in the nation and #1 in the ACC in defensive pass completion %, #10 in the nation and #2 in the ACC in yards per attempt, #43 in passing TDs allowed, #40 in interceptions, #11 in the country and #2 in the ACC in passer rating, and #43 in yards per game.
The YPG number would be a lot lower, but we play a break don’t bend system that tends to give up either nothing or a big completion. Clemson is #1 in the ACC in passer rating defense and yards per attempt, and we’re right there with them. When you consider the strength of schedule and the quality of the QBs we’ve played, we’re going to toe to toe with Clemson in defending the pass. That’s not hyperbole.
Pinnock left the UCF game with an injury, and hasn’t played since, but we don’t know the extent of the injury. Having only played 4 games, if he is unable to return this year, as a true junior, he could take a redshirt. He has 9 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 interception and 2 PBU. Mathis has played in all 6 games. He has 13 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a strong 8 PBU. Teams are generally not even throwing at Jackson this year, which make his numbers even more impressive. 23 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 QBH, and 6 PBU.
Safety. 2019 Field Safety/Boundary Safety Projection: A/B. Field Safety/Boundary Safety Mid-Year Grade: A/A.
PRE-SEASON PREVIEW: Safety has probably been the second weakest position group in the Narduzzi era after TE, but last year Damar Hamlin broke out at Field Safety and changed the trajectory. There’s also real reason for optimism about Boundary Safety now that RS. So Paris Ford appears to be ready to take over. Sr. Damar Hamlin was a 4 star R250 (#126, #7 Safety) prospect who was legitimately being pursued by Urban Meyer and Brian Kelly until signing day. Despite lingering injuries limiting his first two seasons, he was unable redshirt and he’s already facing his final year of eligibility.
During his first two seasons, Hamlin’s production was modest, but last year he was finally healthy and he took full advantage. Hamlin led the team with 90 tackles and tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions to go along with 3 TFLs and 4 PBUs. Hamlin started a little slow last season, but he heads into his final year projected to be one of the best free safeties in the ACC, provided he can improve his PBUs.
Sr. Jazee Stocker is likely the top back up at both Boundary and Field if either starter goes down. Stocker was productive with 43 tackles and 4 PBUs as a reserve safety last season. Hamlin’s former high school teammate RS. Jr. Bricen Garner and fellow local prospect RS. Jr. Therron Coleman are likely to compete for the final safety spot on the 2 deep.
At Boundary Safety Paris Ford appears ready to take over. Ford is Narduzzi’s top rated recruit to date as a former 6.0, 4 Star, R250 (#51, #5 Safety) Under Armor All American. Ford’s physical ability has never been in question, but the transition from high school to a Power 5 playbook was bumpy. Ford showed flashes as a reserve CB late last season, but he had a tremendous spring after being moved to his more natural Boundary Safety position after the bowl.
After having perhaps the least impactful strong safety group in the ACC last season, it’s easy to see Ford leading the team with 90 tackles and multiple interceptions in 2019. Hamlin has shown it can be done and Ford is at least an equal talent.
MID-YEAR REVIEW: This is definitely the best group of Safeties we’ve had in the Narduzzi era, though honestly, every defensive position group this year is the best it’s been. Clemson and UVA are both top 10 defenses nationally, but Pitt is not far behind (#15 in S&P+ defense) and a big reason is Safety play. We legitimately have two top 6 Safeties in the ACC.
Paris Ford might even be exceeding our lofty expectations. I am hesitant to say this, but Ford might actually be the ACC’s best Safety so far. His numbers are better than Joey Blount (UVA) and Myles Dorn (UNC), who likely lay claim to the top spot if it’s not Ford. He still freelances too much, and he’s got to keep himself under control, but his raw talent is off the charts and his numbers are fantastic. Ford leads Pitt with 45 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble, and 4 PBU.
Ford has the physical talent and numbers to get drafted this year, but he would do well by himself to stay for at least another season. We’ll all need to hold our breath and see what he does this spring. Damar Hamlin has performed at an incredibly high level too. His tackle numbers are down through 6 games (30 tackles vs. the 90 he had last season), but that’s not really reflective of his play.
Hamlin hasn’t been required to make as many tackles primarily because Ford and the LBs have done a much better job controlling the short and medium mid-field passes and runs up the middle. Hamlin is still looking for his first interception of the year and his PBU numbers have never been impressive, but he’s a top 6 Safety without a doubt. Jazzee Stocker is also making the most of his opportunities, which have primarily come on the 3rd down Delta package, adding 12 tackles, 1 QBH, and 1 PBU.
Here's the poll question - is Paris Ford the best Safety in the ACC?
CB. 2019 Projection A. Mid-Year Grade: A.
PRE-SEASON PREVIEW: Narduzzi’s defense asks a lot of its CBs, especially in the pass-happy ACC, but CB was the best unit on the defense last season. Sr. Dane Jackson and Jr. Jason Pinnock return as Pitt’s starters after a very successful 2018 campaign. Although the overall passing stats show Pitt coming in at 46th in yards allowed, most of the damage came from very poor OLB and Boundary Safety pass coverage, a chronic issue under Narduzzi.
In fact, Pro Football Focus named Dane Jackson a “Superstar” CB ranking him the 4th best CB in the ACC last year, he was also Honorable Mention All-ACC. Jackson led Pitt with a very strong 16 PBUs (UVA’s Bryce Hall led FBS with 20), and added 47 tackles and 4 TFLs. He’ll be an early round pick in April.
Jr. Jason Pinnock returns as the starter opposite Jackson. He had some injuries that kept him out early last season, and he’s being pushed by Jr. Damarri Mathis, but Pinnock is expected to start. Pinnock compiled 15 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 8 PBUs, and tied Hamlin with 2 interceptions, including one at Notre Dame.
Mathis is a “third starter” according to Narduzzi, but he is expected to back up Jackson and Pinnock. Mathis started 2 games last season and had 18 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1 interception, and 1 PBU. Coaches frequently say the players show the most growth between their sophomore and junior years, and Pinnock and Mathis are already among the best young CBs in the ACC.
MID-YEAR REVIEW: Jason Pinnock has been injured, but Dane Jackson and Damarri Mathis are still a top 3 CB unit in the ACC. Pitt is #6 in the nation and #1 in the ACC in defensive pass completion %, #10 in the nation and #2 in the ACC in yards per attempt, #43 in passing TDs allowed, #40 in interceptions, #11 in the country and #2 in the ACC in passer rating, and #43 in yards per game.
The YPG number would be a lot lower, but we play a break don’t bend system that tends to give up either nothing or a big completion. Clemson is #1 in the ACC in passer rating defense and yards per attempt, and we’re right there with them. When you consider the strength of schedule and the quality of the QBs we’ve played, we’re going to toe to toe with Clemson in defending the pass. That’s not hyperbole.
Pinnock left the UCF game with an injury, and hasn’t played since, but we don’t know the extent of the injury. Having only played 4 games, if he is unable to return this year, as a true junior, he could take a redshirt. He has 9 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 interception and 2 PBU. Mathis has played in all 6 games. He has 13 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a strong 8 PBU. Teams are generally not even throwing at Jackson this year, which make his numbers even more impressive. 23 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 QBH, and 6 PBU.
