The Pitt football team held a scrimmage yesterday to put a wrap on the first full week of training camp.
While this scrimmage was closed to the media, Pittsburgh Sports Now was able to get a few notes and highlights.
I’m hoping to get a few more details and when I do, they’ll be added to this post.
NOTES FROM PITT’S FIRST SCRIMMAGE:
*The first thing that I’m told is that the defense was “really good.” Considering what we’ve been telling you about the talent level and the fact that this was the first scrimmage—when defenses usually have the advantage—this isn’t a big surprise.
*Two players that I’m told that really played well were Paris Ford and Quinin Wirginis. In Pitt’s initial camp depth chart, Ford was listed as 2nd team but the reality is that he’s too talented of a player not to get major playing time on this year’s defense. Ford is a playmaker and seems destined to be a star in this defense. Wirginis will be a welcome addition back to the Panthers defense after missing last season with an injury. His leaderships and playmaking was something that was missing in 2017. Due to the lack of depth, Saleem Brightwell was forced to play the middle last year and never seemed comfortable and frankly didn’t seem ready for that task. His natural spot is on the outside at the boundary linebacker.
*A couple of other notes on defense: after running mostly with the second team, it appears as though Keyshon Camp has taken over as the number one defensive tackle. Freshman Jaylen Twyman was getting some time there but Camp is back to being 100% physically and running with the ones.
We’ve already known that Seun Idowu will be the starter at star linebacker but Cam Bright and Anthony McKee are battling for the backup spot. I’m being told that right now, Bright has the lead and is in position to be Idowu’s top backup. Bright is going to bring speed and athleticism to that position.
*As far as the offense, I’m told that the offensive line performed well, as did senior running back Darrin Hall. I don’t have any stats or particulars but Hall apparently ran really well. As we reported last week, it’s becoming obvious that the only running back battle going on is to determine who will backup Hall. Todd Sibley and A.J. Davis both had good opening weeks of camp, especially Sibley, who ran well when the team put pads on.
