The feeling within the walls of Pitt's complex on South Water Street is simple: The 2023 season was a fluke and the Panthers are out to "Prove It."
The slogan is plastered all around their facility and it's used in abundance within the program. But to get to this point, one where the program is determined to rewrite the narrative and show that last season was an outlier, changes needed to be made, and they were. Players have displayed a rejuvenated mindset as Pat Narduzzi has said that there's a more serious approach to everything the players do this season and you can see it as they walk on and off the practice field. It's a business-like approach. However, while that adjustment was needed, one of the most important changes made was at offensive coordinator.
The offense that Kade Bell has brought with him from Western Carolina, which led all of Football Championship Subdivision in yards per game (504.1), was third in passing yards per game (321.1) and fourth in scoring (37.5), is an exciting one. It's high-scoring and fast-paced as he has set a goal of snapping the ball in seven to 15 seconds. During Narduzzi's speech at Pitt's annual football luncheon last week, the 10th-year head coach said "It will be fast, don't go and get another beer, popcorn or sausage sandwich."
If run efficiently, Bell's new offense fixes a lot of problems that the Panthers had last year. They were last in the ACC in scoring, total yards per game, total rushing yards and were ninth in total passing yards. While the defense struggled at times, the offense truly needed to be revamped and its success this season will determine what Pitt is capable of.
So while we'll get to Randy Bates and the defense's determination to be the most physical defense in the country, let's start this 2024 season preview with the offense.
• QUARTERBACKS
DEPTH CHART: Nate Yarnell (R-Jr., 6-6, 215) OR Eli Holstein (R-Fr., 6-4, 225), Ty Dieffenbach (R-Fr., 6-6, 220).
The conversation starts and ends with Yarnell and Holstein. Narduzzi announced Thursday that Holstein would start against Kent State on Saturday and both quarterbacks would play as the quarterback competition will continue into the regular season. Here's how Narduzzi announced the news:
Yarnell started the final two games of last season and completed 41 of his 62 pass attempts for 595 yards and four touchdowns in four games. He also led the Panthers to a 24-16 win over Boston College while completing 11 of his 19 pass attempts for 207 yards and a touchdown.
Holstein transferred in from Alabama and while he didn't play for the Crimson Tide, he threw for 7,014 yards and 62 touchdowns throughout his high school career at Zachary High School in Zachary, La. He also won a Class 5A -- the largest classification in Louisiana -- state title as a junior, leading his Broncos to a 15-0 record. But despite the lack of in-game experience at the collegiate level, Holstein has pushed Yarnell while also improving as an all-around quarterback throughout the fall.
"As a young guy, he's very mature and I think that's because of Nate," Bell said. "Nate is a very mature guy. Nate is a pro. So if he (Holstein) wanted to compete for this job he would have to attack every day like a coach, like a pro. That's really what's caught him up. You don't really see a lot of young guys his age coming with the mentality of 'I got to work just as hard, I gotta put the work in, I gotta be watching film and studying.' So I think that's really what got him caught up because he was a little behind after spring ball."
Despite their differences in experience, Bell says both players have been able to garner an understanding of the offense and both operate it efficiently. Mentally, they understand what the expectation of the offense is, where Bell wants the ball to go and how quickly he wants the offense to run. In some games, Bell says they'll go "really fast" and in others, they'll go "kinda fast" and both quarterbacks understand that expectation.
But while the quarterbacks have similarities, they also present different skill sets. Yarnell can anticipate throws well and has also showcased a pretty strong arm. Bell called him a "pro in the playbook" and when he gets a clean pocket he's efficient with the football. If a pocket breaks down, Holstein can make plays with his feet and throw accurately on the run and Bell said he's also been able to get the ball out of his hands very quickly, which is crucial in this type of offense.
So, whatever quarterback stands under center moving forward, the Panthers should be in good hands. But in terms of deciding on a starter moving into the rest of the season, Narduzzi has said, "I want to know as soon as possible. I don't want to drag it on. I want to do it as soon as I possibly can."
• OFFENSIVE LINE
DEPTH CHART: Left Tackle: Branson Taylor (R-Sr., 6-6, 330), Terrence Enos Jr. (R-Jr., 6-5, 315); Left Guard: Ryan Jacoby (6th, 6-5, 305), Jason Collier Jr. (6th, 6-6, 320); Center: Lyndon Cooper (R-Jr., 6-2, 310), Terrence Moore (R-Jr., 6-5, 305); Right Guard: B.J. Williams (So., 6-4, 315), Ryan Carretta (R-Fr., 6-5, 305); Right Tackle: Ryan Baer (R-So., 6-7, 325), Isaiah Montgomery (R-So., 6-4, 300).
Heading into Saturday, the offensive line is one position group where there aren't any ORs on the depth chart. The starters are decided and they are ready to go. This is also a group that has changed a lot since the spring. With a new offense comes a new approach and the players that were already in the building when Bell was hired needed to make changes. They were used to more of a pro-style offense and now they need to be ready to move quickly and be ready to push the tempo of the game.
That was one of the biggest things that Bell needed to address when he first got to Pitt, and he has. Compared to the spring, the offensive linemen are moving faster, have adjusted to the tempo and speed of the offense and have come together as a unit.
"We had a lot of guys who were overweight and not just overweight but the type of game they played last year was huddle, 20-30 seconds (between snaps) then come off the football downhill," Bell said. "So I think when we first got here, it was tough because it's different when you have to snap the ball in seven to fifteen seconds at any time. But they've worked their butts off. I mean they've all changed their bodies into what we want -- being athletic, being twitchy, being able to get in your stance fast and not take a deep breath. Those guys have really put the work in and all it's done is just now made us where our tempo is so much better than where it was in the spring. When we want to go fast, our center is on the ball and making the calls. The linemen are getting in their stance, they aren't lulling around because they aren't used to it. They now know the expectation."
That line is led by Cooper in the middle of it. It was one of the position battles throughout fall camp and Cooper beat out Moore for the position. However, Moore is also a depth piece and he's a guy who can move all over the line of scrimmage if needed. Bell said Cooper's athletic ability made him stand out at that position and win the job leading into Week 1.
At left tackle, Taylor was named a team captain and is a big guy who can anchor the line of scrimmage while playing next to Jacoby at left guard. On the opposite side, Baer is one of the biggest across the entire offensive line. He's quick off the ball and should be a strength for the Panthers this season. Williams and Carretta also faced off in a position battle this fall and Williams' consistency allowed him to gain the edge.
• RUNNING BACKS
DEPTH CHART: Rodney Hammond Jr. (Sr., 5-9, 200) OR Desmond Reid (Jr., 5-8, 175), Derrick Davis (R-Jr., 6-0, 205), Daniel Carter (6th, 5-10, 220).
Outside of the quarterbacks, the running backs may be the most important position group on the offense as they are going to be used in a myriad of ways. They'll run the ball to keep the offense honest, but they'll also consistently be used in the passing game. Reid played under Bell at Western Carolina last season and excelled. He rushed for 897 yards and 13 touchdowns on 131 attempts in only eight games while also catching 21 passes for 283 yards.
When I asked Reid about how running backs are used in the offense, he described it as having to do "a lot of stuff." It won't just be running the ball and running regular routes out of the backfield. Bell asks his running backs to be able to read coverages and attack defenses by finding those soft openings. They have to be able to do it all and the Panthers have a talented group to do that.
Hammond is returning after a season where he rushed for 547 yards and four touchdowns on 118 carries, but this will be his fourth year in the program and he's ready for a breakout season. Bell characterized both Reid and Hammond as three-down backs and Davis has been able to complement them well. The Lousiana State transfer was a talented high school player at Gateway in Monroeville, Pa., and Bell said he came to Pitt as a "downhill, straight line, big fast guy," but has really rounded out his pass-catching abilities.
With those three and Carter, the Panthers will have the depth that is needed to succeed. Bell said that he's consistently used multiple running backs in the past to keep players fresh and play to their strengths.
"We've always played multiple backs, we have to with our tempo," Bell said. "To me, when it comes down to it, you want to keep guys fresh. Running back is a position where you have to keep guys fresh, you have to keep guys healthy. If we're going to play a 12-game season, we want running backs that are running just as hard as they were in Week 1 as they are in Week 12."
• WIDE RECEIVERS / TIGHT ENDS
DEPTH CHART: WR1: Konata Mumpfield (Sr., 6-1, 185); WR2: Raphael Williams Jr. (R-Jr., 5-10, 165), Lamar Seymore (R-Fr., 6-1, 190); WR3: Kenny Johnson (So., 6-1, 200) OR Daejon Reynolds (R-Jr., 6-2, 210); Tight End: Gavin Bartholomew (Sr., 6-5, 250), Jake Overman (R-Sr., 6-4, 245), Malachi Thomas (Fr., 6-4, 225).
While there is plenty of talent at running back, there's a lot of the same at wide receiver and tight end. It starts with Mumpfield and Bartholomew. Both were named captains this season and have displayed their abilities in the past. Mumpfield led the team in receptions last season, catching 44 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Bartholomew wasn't utilized nearly as much, only catching 18 passes for 326 yards and a touchdown in 10 games. He missed the final two games of the season -- the two Yarnell started -- but should be a featured part of the offense this season.
Williams, Johnson and Reynolds could all be in line for a lot of work this season as well. Williams also played under Bell in the past and caught 120 passes for 1,617 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons at Western Carolina before transferring to San Diego State for the 2023 season. He did not play in any games at SDSU and he's shown flashes of speed in fall camp and is another athletic playmaker on the outside.
Reynolds and Johnson are both guys who could be fourth and fifth options in the passing game. They are both vying for that third starting receiver spot and could provide different options for the offense. Reynolds caught 28 passes for 316 yards last season after transferring in from Florida and is a sure-handed receiver with an ability to make contested catches. Narduzzi characterized Johnson's fall camp as "up-and-down" but said, "The offense fits him, and he's an explosive guy that can make plays." I think he has the potential for a breakout season after catching 15 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown last season.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Bates has gone against Bell's offense every day since spring practices started and when I asked him what his impressions of it were, he gave it his stamp of approval.
"They get up, they go fast, they are efficient, they can run the ball well, they can throw the ball. I think it's a great offense," he said. "He's (Bell's) got a lot of unique and outstanding techniques, concepts and it's challenging."
There are playmakers all over the field in this offense and Bell wants to put the ball in their hands. The offense will move quickly at times. They'll keep defenses off balance and tired which will give the Panthers an advantage over the course of an entire game. But the crucial aspect will be the timing of it.
In an offense like Bell's the execution has to be perfect and he's said on numerous occasions that perfection is the expectation. During the first scrimmage of fall camp, Narduzzi said the offense struggled and committed pre-snap penalties, but they were all mistakes that could get ironed out, such as guys getting lined up on time and the offensive line and receivers getting set before the ball is snapped.
So if Yarnell or Holstein can spread the ball around to all of their weapons, keep defenses off balance and execute the high-tempo nature of the offense, the Panthers could be in line to put up a lot of points. Bell's offense only put up 37.5 points per game last season, but his expectation, his goal, is to score 50 points a game. The Panthers want to light up the scoreboard.
While you may think "Wow! 50 points?" Don't expect the scoreboard to read 50 at the end of each game. The way Bell phrased it to me, he sets that expectation for his players so that they have belief that they can. They might put up 28 points per game, but Bell is going to go back through the film and find plays and drives where they made mistakes which could have resulted in reaching that milestone if they played up to the expectation.
• DEFENSIVE LINE
DEPTH CHART: DE: Nate Matlack (R-Sr., 6-5, 250) AND Jimmy Scott (R-So., 6-3, 260), Sincere Edwards (Fr., 6-1, 245) OR Maverick Gracio (R-Fr., 6-4, 255), Chief Borders (R-Jr., 6-4, 245) OR David Ojiegbe (R-Fr., 6-3, 245). DT: Nahki Johnson (R-Jr., 6-2, 280) OR Francis Brewu (Fr., 6-1, 280) OR Anthony Johnson (6th, 6-3, 300) AND Nick James (R-So., 6-2, 290) OR Isaiah Neal (R-Fr., 6-2, 270), Elliot Donald (R-Jr., 6-3, 275).
To start, Sean FitzSimmons (R-So., 6-3, 285) is 'banged up' but could return soon, according to Narduzzi, so expect him to be placed on the depth chart in the future and contribute to this young defensive line. Other than that, Bates and Narduzzi are still trying to figure out who stands out among the defensive tackles.
Narduzzi said they'll need six or seven of them on any given week but they've all flashed at different points of fall camp. Nahki Johnson is a player who moved from the edge to the inside this offseason and Brewu and Neal are both guys who have been mentioned multiple times throughout camp. Neal brings a certain energy to the defensive line and Brewu, even as a freshman, is physically capable of making an impact this season. He was named to Bruce Feldman's College Football Freaks List.
But in terms of naming a starter, Bates said it ultimately comes down to performing in a game and doing it consistently.
"Every day is a new day. We've told the guys from the start and through the whole season that the guys that practice the best and make the most plays will be the guys that play," Bates said. "We haven't solidified that as of today. We are still letting them compete. It's a never-ending rotation until someone stands out and takes it away."
Off the edge, Matlack and Scott have set themselves apart. Matlack is a Kansas State transfer who played in 39 games, started in seven, and tallied 39 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, nine and a half sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick in three seasons. He also tallied four sacks and seven and a half tackles for a loss last season.
Narduzzi characterized Scott as a guy who "grew up" in the spring and played well enough to win the spot. However, he did add that Sincere Edwards (Fr., 6-1, 245) is a little banged up but is another guy who could contribute there alongside Borders.
LINEBACKERS
DEPTH CHART: Star: Kyle Louis (R-So., 6-0, 225), Jordan Bass (So., 6-4, 230); Mike: Brandon George (6th, 6-3, 240), Keye Thompson (6th, 6-0, 230); Money: Braylan Lovelace (So., 6-2, 225) OR Rasheem Biles (So., 6-1, 215).
The linebackers have named their position group the "sharks" and they might be one of the deepest groups in the entire program. There's speed, athleticism, youth and experience. George leads the group as a 6th-year guy who has been around the program and knows the defense like the back of his hand. He was the only defensive player to be named a captain and has already won over the locker room with his ability to communicate effectively and deliver the coaching staff's message. He's backed up by Thompson who was a first-team All-MAC honoree at Ohio last season. They both bring experience in the middle of the defense while the rest of the linebackers bring athleticism and speed.
"We feel good with those six linebackers right there, and Jordan would be the youngest of the ones in there," Narduzzi said. "Kyle Louis has played a lot of football. He's aggressive. He's physical. Biles is a dude -- we know (Braylan) Lovelace. All those guys can play."
This defense has voiced its desire to be one of the most physical and aggressive defenses in the country and it starts with this group. While they may lack starting experience, they have the enthusiasm and the athletic ability to play downhill but also provide coverage on intermediate routes across the middle. I think this group will be the engine that makes this defense go.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
DEPTH CHART: CB: Ryland Gandy (R-So., 6-0, 180) AND Rashad Battle (R-Sr., 6-3, 200), Tamon Lynum (R-Sr., 6-2, 190), Noah Biglow (R-Jr., 5-11, 185), Tamarion Crumpley (R-Jr., 6-1, 195). SS: Donovan McMillon (Sr., 6-2, 205), Cruce Brookins (R-Fr., 6-2, 195); FS: Javon McIntyre (R-Jr., 6-1, 195) OR Phillip O'Brien Jr. (Sr., 6-0, 185).
Expect a consistent rotation of Gandy, Battle and Lynum at cornerback. Gandy played in 12 games last season, tallying seven tackles and has really come along throughout the spring and fall.
Battle is a player who was considered one of the best defensive backs in Georgia out of high school but hasn't played a full season since his freshman year and is coming off an injury that kept him out for the entire 2023 season. Still, he can provide a lot of veteran experience to the secondary and is a lengthy defender with upside.
"I've been impressed with Rashad. He's a senior. He's been through a battle, okay, through his career here at Pitt," Narduzzi said. "I'm excited that he's stayed healthy and excited to see him play."
Lastly, Lynum is a transfer from Nebraska and joined the program in January. He made one start in 23 games for the Cornhuskers and tallied 12 tackles, two forced fumbles and one sack. Between the three corners, the Panthers should have a lot of talent on the outside. Expect to see Brookins as the starting nickel cornerback while also working in the safety rotation. He's a young player who really flashed in camp. His helmet is littered with takeaway stickers, which is a good sign of his playmaking ability.
This safety group may have the most experience among the defense. With McMillon, McIntyre and O'Brien there will be a solid three-man rotation at the back end of the defense. McMillon and McIntyre led the team in tackles last season with 105 and 85, respectively, and O'Brien may have some of the best ball skills on the team after tallying three interceptions last season. They are a veteran group that will complement the cornerbacks on the outside in terms of calling the right coverages and making sure everyone is communicating effectively on the back end.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
As a unit, this group seems ready to go. With a more serious approach and a desire to be physical, Bates is dead set on stopping the run, but he's also seen a ton of improvement compared to a year ago and that has started with taking advantage of opportunities. Bates said that last year, players may have been in a position to make plays at times but didn't necessarily always follow through. That's different this time around.
"I think we're physical, we can stop the run and we're going to stop the run and make people throw the football," he said.
With the combined experience at the second and third levels, the success of this defense may depend on the defensive line. It was one of the biggest question marks coming into this season and despite their recent history of success -- Pitt has the most sacks in the country over the past five seasons -- Pitt only recorded 31 sacks last season, their lowest total since 2017. So, if the Panthers can create havoc in the backfield, stop the run and get to the quarterback, that should set a strong foundation for an experienced secondary to succeed.
SPECIAL TEAMS
DEPTH CHART: PK: Ben Sauls (R-Sr., 5-10, 185), Sam Carpenter (R-Fr., 5-11, 190); P: Caleb Junko (R-Jr., 6-1, 210), Cam Guess (R-Sr., 5-11, 205); LS: Nilay Upadhyayula (R-Jr., 5-11, 230), Nico Crawford (R-So., 6-2, 235); KR: Kenny Johnson OR Desmond Reid. PR: Desmond Reid, Konata Mumpfield.
Sauls made 11 of his 16 field goal attempts last season and all five of his misses came from 40 yards and beyond. He was automatic from 40 yards and in and also made field goals of 44, 46, 41, 42 and 47 yards. So, the Panthers should be good there. Junko is also returning as the punter. He punted 63 times last season and averaged 41.6 yards per punt. He booted 18 punts 50 yards or more and pinned 15 inside the 20-yard line.
