2019-2020 Pitt Super Panther Sports Thread (With a New Logo)

[Freddy Rumsen]

Two of those conference losses are completely inexcusable and were very similar in the complete lack of organization of the team.

[Stoosh]

A couple of days after the BC loss, I also realize that Narduzzi isn't going anywhere this offseason. Unless he leaves on his own or there's some sort of serious internal issue going on behind the scenes, I don't think it's in the best interests of the program to make a head coaching change and blow this whole thing up.

I say that for the following reasons:

- The schedule the next two years (or even three years if Neal Brown can't get WVU on track by 2022). Gone are the 2-3 games per year vs. P5 ranked opponents. 3-1 minimum and a possible 4-0 in OOC play is there in each of the next two years. As the Kangaroo points out, this is largely useless if they don't do better than 4-4 in conference but I'll hope for a return to 2018 form here.

- He and his coaches delivered the type of defense this year we expected to see, and he's got some bonafide depth at each defensive position group. If Ford, Twyman, and Jones come back, Weaver & Camp return, and everyone else stays relatively healthy, they should be very good again.

- The offense needs work...it needs a ton of work, but some of that may be lack of depth and his 2020 recruiting class looks like it may be his best, especially on the offensive side of the ball. I also saw enough out of a few pieces - Vincent Davis, Shocky & Jared Wayne, for example - to think that maybe this may not be the daunting task it appeared to be a month or so ago.

That said, I'd like to see and I think they need to make some changes:

1. Evaluate the coaching and recruiting at the TE and OL positions.

Tim Salem's entire legacy is Grant Carrigan and two transfers - Will Gragg and Nakia Griffin-Stewart. That's inexcusable as someone who arrived here with Narduzzi.

Pitt didn't recruit a TE in 2015-16. In 2017, they added Reeves, Sear, and Carrigan, but Reeves & Sear were gone before the 2018 season was 1/3 over, and Carrigan has become little more than a part-time extra tackle. 2018? No TE recruits, prompting them to move Kaymar Mimes from DE to TE in the fall of 2018 after Reeves & Sear left just so they had enough bodies to practice. In 2019, they added Jason Collier and Kyi Wright (originally recruited as an ATH/LB). Given his size, Collier was expected to be moved to OL but he's still at TE, probably because they still don't have enough bodies. Kyi Wright's size makes him more of an H-back. They don't have a committed TE recruit in the 2020 class. None of the transfers - Flanagan, Clark, Gragg, Griffin-Stewart - have had any consistent impact. Literally anyone could almost do better here. It's time to move on.

I'm less sure about the OL. Borbley revealed this past summer that after he took over prior to the 2018 season, he told Bob Junko that he didn't think they had the OL to win three games in 2018; they won seven and had one of the best running games in college football but also couldn't pass-block. This year, they started four new OL and couldn't establish a running game. Pass-blocking was better but not great.

The OL has suffered this year and last because the 2015 transitional class (Tony Pilato, Alex Paulina) and the 2016 class (Justin Morgan, Zach Williams, Brandon Ford) didn't bear much at all. The only holdovers from 2016 are converted DL - Bryce Hargrove & Rashad Wheeler. Wheeler played FB all year. From the 2017 class, I believe Carter Warren started all year at LT and seemed to do OK. Gabe Houy & Carson Van Lynn get significant time as well, but Jerry Drake still can't get on the field, despite drawing significantly more national interest than those ahead of him on the depth chart. 2018 recruit Jake Kradel cracked the lineup this year as a starter, and Blake Zubovic has the best pedigree of them all if you look at P5 interest.

The good news is most of these guys will be back, and False Start Factory Nolan Ulizio will be gone, so good riddance. Hopefully this season's OL performance was an experience issue, not a coaching/lack of talent issue.

2. Open up the QB competition OR adjust the offense to better suit Pickett. Pickett has guts and his ability to run the ball makes him a threat, but if Whipple's offense is going to be what it was mostly this year, I don't see how they get better with Pickett. He's currently 10th in FBS in passing attempts and 13th in completions, he's 64th in completion % and 101st in passing touchdowns. You can't throw for that many completions and attempts and only throw for 10 touchdowns.

I'd either like to see the QB position opened up next year and Beville given a legitimate shot, or I'd like to see some RPO variations put in that can play to Pickett's strengths.

[willeyeam]

Just because Pickett can move a little doesn't mean RPO would be a strength. I'm not saying it isn't either, but do we think decision making and making the right reads are a strength of his? I'm on the fence there.

After 25+ starts or whatever of KSP I'm firmly in the meh camp. We could certainly do worse. But if Beville shows anything then just make the switch. I think the line play makes up a large portion of the issues on offense, followed closely by the drops.

[Freddy Rumsen]

I'm not sure KSP is able to make decisions quick enough for RPO.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

10 touchdowns and don’t forget 9 picks

[Dickie Dunn]

Not that it matters because no one will travel to the bowl game and Pitt with lose anyway because Narduzzi is an assclown, but Pitt is being projected for the Pinstripe against Illinois, the Belk Bowl against App State, and the Military Bowl against Navy.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Jimmy Morrissey and Paris Ford are first-team All-ACC.

[willeyeam]

And Twyman

[willeyeam]

This team might top the "those guys went to Pitt and they went 7-5?" power rankings.

Twyman
Morrissey
Ford
Dane Jackson
Hamlin
Kylan Johnson
Pinnock
Patrick Jones

All NFLers imo. Taysir Mack has a good shot as well

[Dickie Dunn]

**** records while producing NFL players is the Pitt way.

[meow]

This is the way

[slappybrown]

This team might top the "those guys went to Pitt and they went 7-5?" power rankings.

Twyman
Morrissey
Ford
Dane Jackson
Hamlin
Kylan Johnson
Pinnock
Patrick Jones

All NFLers imo. Taysir Mack has a good shot as well

If I had to rate NFL potential:

Twyman
Ford

GAP

Jackson
Patrick Jones

GAP

Pinnock
Morrissey
Johnson
Hamlin

[willeyeam]

The funny thing is Hamlin will be the first one drafted unless Ford leaves. Please don't leave Paris

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

Yes I see twyman and ford having long term careers (i.e. sheard, kwuan Williams etc) with ford having some pro bowl potential. Jackson probably will get some run but probably not a lucrative contract at any point. Not sure how to feel about jones just yet.

[willeyeam]

Avonte Maddox is an NFL starter and Ryan Lewis and Lafayette Pitts have gotten extended playing time. Pinnock and Dane Jackson will be on rosters at the least

[Dickie Dunn]

Weaver is better than Jones. Mathis is better than Pinnock.

[willeyeam]

Yes and yes. Pinnock has the height that I think will catch the eye of the league though

[willeyeam]

Wtf Pinnock is only listed at 6'0"? Is his hair that big? Are the other CBs at Pitt that small?

[slappybrown]

The funny thing is Hamlin will be the first one drafted unless Ford leaves. Please don't leave Paris

Hamlin doesn't really do anything that well and does not appear to have NFL-caliber athleticism to me. Whitehead never produced much either, but he was clearly an NFL athlete. Unless Hamlin's combine/pro day surprisingly reflect an athleticism that we've never seen on the field, I can't see Hamlin going earlier than Whitehead, who was only a fourth round pick.

Jones, for example, if he leaves, would get picked before Hamlin if I had to bet.

[Dickie Dunn]

The funny thing is Hamlin will be the first one drafted unless Ford leaves. Please don't leave Paris

Hamlin doesn't really do anything that well and does not appear to have NFL-caliber athleticism to me. Whitehead never produced much either, but he was clearly an NFL athlete. Unless Hamlin's combine/pro day surprisingly reflect an athleticism that we've never seen on the field, I can't see Hamlin going earlier than Whitehead, who was only a fourth round pick.

Jones, for example, if he leaves, would get picked before Hamlin if I had to bet.

Hamlin seems taller than 6'1" due to his long ass neck, but he still has solid size for a safety. I think he'll get selected and get some run in the NFL, but agree that he doesn't have NFL athleticism.

[Dickie Dunn]

The funny thing is Hamlin will be the first one drafted unless Ford leaves. Please don't leave Paris

I think Ford will get word that he'd be selected in the first three rounds of the draft. Could see him coming back though because he seems love being a Panther and could bump his way up draft boards with another great year.

Wtf Pinnock is only listed at 6'0"? Is his hair that big? Are the other CBs at Pitt that small?

I had this same revelation a couple weeks ago. Jackson is 6'0" and 190 lbs., Mathis is 5'11" and 195 lbs., Pinnock is 6' and 200 lbs. Pinnock seems huge compared to both of them, so it has to be the hair.

In looking up their measurables, I saw that there is a Brassir Stocker from Coatesville on the roster. Another brother of Manny and Jazzee?

Also just saw that Dane Jackson is going to the Senior Bowl.

[willeyeam]

My expert opinion is that Hamlin isn't that great. But draft talk I've heard and Duzz saying he's the best DB he's coached make me think he'll go 3-4 round. I didn't consider Jones leaving early.

[Dickie Dunn]

Well, Duzz is a **** dolt so I sure as hell am not going to trust his opinion.

[willeyeam]

i don't disagree but it seems if he knows anything it's DBs

[Dickie Dunn]

If he knows anything it’s how to underachieve and disappoint while also making stupid coaching decisions.