One of most frequent questions we get asked this time of the year is “How many scholarships can Pitt offer this year?”
Unfortunately it’s a question that is impossible for anyone other than Pat Narduzzi to answer.
Guys like me can give our best educated answer and that’s what I’ll do right now.
As of today (December 12) Pitt has received commitments from 14 players.
**10 scholarship seniors graduated after the season.
**Four other players have left the team: Jordan Whitehead (entering NFL Draft), Quadree Henderson (entering NFL Draft), Thomas MacVittie (transfer) and Chawntez Moss (transfer).
That means the 14 departures have been replaced with the current 14 2018 commitments.
Pitt will be taking on more commitments before Signing Days which means that they’ll have to be more departures from scholarship players currently on the roster.
One name that we’ll likely add to the list of departures is offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, who’s most likely going to enter the NFL Draft.
Without mentioning names, we can go over the roster and can see players that look like transfer candidates.
Quarterbacks: I see that as being set now that MacVittie has decided to transfer.
Running Backs: I don’t see any other movement.
Wide receivers: Not sure if it’s likely but I see a transfer possibility especially if Pitt adds two of the highly rated receivers they’re currently recruiting.
Tight Ends: I don’t see any movement.
Offensive Lineman: I see at least one player that could look to transfer.
Defensive Lineman: I don’t see any realistic transfer candidates.
Linebackers: I see a couple of players that possibly wouldn’t return in 2018.
Secondary: Like with the linebackers, I see two players that could decide to move on.
One thing to keep in mind when dealing with this subject, it isn’t a negative reflection for either side. All these players are used to starting and if they don’t see a realistic path to getting on the field, players decide to leave. For most of these kids, these are the last couple of years they have left to play football. There’s nothing wrong with them wanting to do that and also for the Pitt coaches to be honest with them about the current depth chart.
I look for Pitt to take 4-5 more players this year so the question now is who won’t be returning in order to open up a scholarship for them.
