PSN’s Pitt Football’s Initial Offensive Depth Chart

It’s officially one month until Pitt opens the season against West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, so of course, let’s check out my initial depth chart.

The loss of Kenny Pickett is, of course, the biggest question. And, yes, Jordan Addison. But I do believe Pitt is in a good position to move on from the loss of the 2021 offense’s most important players.

There’s a lot of talent returning across Pitt’s offense, but with some new faces, what do I think the opening depth chart will look like?

Quarterback

Kedon Slovis — Nick Patti — Derek Kyler

Slovis didn’t come to Pittsburgh to serve as Nick Patti’s backup. Look, I get it, there’s a quarterback competition and Patti is a legitimately good quarterback, but Slovis was brought in to be the guy. And for good reason.

Slovis, Patti, Kyler is a strong one-two-three too.

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) April 9, 2022 David Hague/PSN

Running Back

Israel Abanikanda — Rodney Hammond Jr. OR Vincent Davis — Daniel Carter

I could not be higher on Abanikanda. He’s an all-around stud, the modern running back. If anyone is destined for a 1,000-yard season with 30 catches out of the backfield, it’s Izzy. And I fully expect it.

However, Hammond and Davis are very, very capable running backs and will receive their share of touches, and Carter has continued to develop into a player who is more than just a blocker.

Wide Receiver

Jared Wayne — Addison Copeland

Konata Mumpfield — Jaylon Barden — Che Nwabuko

Bub Means OR Jalen Bradley — Myles Alston

The core four here are Jared Wayne, Konata Mumpfield, Bub Means and Jalen Bradley. And Mumpfield, while he played a majority of his freshman season at Akron outside, is the only of the three being looked at as inside wide receiver.

Wayne will occupy a starting spot outside and the duo of Bradley and Means will occupy the other. All three will play an awful lot. Barden will also play an awful lot inside, completing Mumpfield or filling his role as the former slides outside.

Nwabuko and Copeland are both just freshmen, but both have their own specific skillsets, and Nwabuko specifically has the kind of X-factor to make an impact from anywhere across the line.

And Mumpfield is the star to watch. He’s going to be the lead receiver in 2022.

Tre Tipton (6) and Jared Wayne (5) – November 11, 2021 David Hague/PSN

Tight End

Gavin Bartholomew — Jake Renda — Karter Johnson

Bartholomew is a star. And he’s only going to get bigger. This is a guy who will stretch the field as a tight end, improve as a blocker but doesn’t yet have a complement to serve in the role he served last season.

That could be Renda, who transformed his body during his redshirt freshman season, or it could be Johnson — the transfer from Butler (Kan.) Community College. I think the two will combine to fill the void behind Bartholomew.

Offensive Line

Carter Warren — Ryan Baer

Marcus Minor — Ryan Jacoby

Owen Drexel OR Blake Zubvoic — Terrence Moore

Jake Kradel — Jason Collier Jr. OR Branson Taylor

Gabe Houy — Matt Goncalves

Pitt returned its entire offensive line from 2021, and even if Drexel is challenged by Zubovic, that’s a ton of continuity.

Warren, Minor, Drexel, Kradel and Houy provide a nearly unprecedented level of continuity. It’s tough to return an entire offensive line, and especially so for one that’s as experienced as Pitt’s is, but here we are.

Zubovic, even if he remains a reserve, Goncalves and Jacoby will play a lot in 2022, and true freshman Ryan Baer is the next big thing. Moore is the future center, and while Collier and Taylor are listed at right guard, Collier is more of a special teams option and Brason is more of reserve tackle.

There are options along the offensive line.

Jake Kradel (53) November 14, 2019 — David Hague/PSN

Opening Depth Chart 

QB — Kedon Slovis

RB — Israel Abanikanda

WR — Jared Wayne

WR — Konata Mumpfield

TE — Gavin Bartholomew

LT — Carter Warren

LG — Marcus Minor

C — Owen Drexel OR Blake Zubovic

RG — Jake Kradel

RT — Gabe Houy

WR — Bub Means OR Jaden Bradley