Pitt Football Camp Notebook: 8/10

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UPDATE (6:50 PM) by Alan Saunders-

Carson Van Lynn August 1, 2017 (Photo by David Hague)

Pitt freshman Carson Van Lynn changed his uniform number at the beginning of camp, handing over No. 72 to Tony Pilato so that the tackle could wear the jersey that his father wore at Pitt in the 1980s.

The No. 59 uniform isn’t the only early-season change for Van Lynn. He’s also made the move from the offensive to the defensive line. Pitt routinely flips the freshmen lineman around to balance out the needs of the scout team during the season, but this early in camp, that’s probably a sign that Van Lynn is being given a legit look on the defensive side of the ball.

“You’re not a guard anymore,” defensive line coach Charlie Partridge could be heard yelling while Van Lynn got acclimated to the different drills the defensive players were being put through.

With a long, lanky frame at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, it’s pretty safe to say that Van Lynn will be working at defensive end going forward.

UPDATE (1:54 PM) by Alan Saunders-

Pitt quarterback Max Browne, defensive tackle Keyshon Camp and cornerback / wide receiver Maurice Ffrench were among the players that spoke with the media on Thursday.

Check out what Camp had to say about Kam Cater’s appearance on Last Chance U, Browne on his unusual camp roommate and Ffrench on being a weapon on kickoffs.

UPDATE (12:17 PM) by Alan Saunders-

Freshman CB Damarri Mathis warms up before Pitt practice. — ALAN SAUNDERS

Head coach Pat Narduzzi had some positive things to say about his freshman cornerbacks on Thursday. When asked if anyone had stood out in the group that’s seeking to unseat Avonte Maddox and Dane Jackson as starters, Narduzzi went straight to true freshman Damarri Mathis.

“He’s pretty special,” Narduzzi said. “He’s a guy that, for a young guy, he doesn’t blink. I’ve been very, very happy with him.”

Narduzzi also had good things to say about his other freshman corner, Jason Pinnock.

“Pinnock’s been good, too,” Narduzzi said. “He really has, for a freshman. He’s stayed true and he’s been good.”

Freshman CB Jason Pinnock (15) watches a drill during Pitt football practice. — ALAN SAUNDERS

UPDATE (11:41 AM)-

UPDATE (11:25 AM) by Alan Saunders-

Pitt’s defense broke out some new individual drills on Thursday, with the linemen working on staying low on tackling by crushing giant foam donuts and the defensive backs working on communication and gang tackling. Have a look and listen.

Freshman defensive linemen Destine Alexandre (97) and Jalen Twyman participate in a tackling drill. — ALAN SAUNDERS

UPDATE (10:54 AM)-

**Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi spoke with the media this morning before practice.

UPDATE (7:01 AM)-

**Forget my previous post, I’m being told Paris Ford won’t be on the field today but the target for his much anticipated debut is next week. His grades are being submitted to the NCAA tomorrow.