2024 Pitt Football Spring Season: First Projected Depth Chart

Pitt officially has two spring practices under its belt at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Just 13 more to go.

It’s been a busy offseason for Pitt football, adding 21 high school recruits and 12 transfer portal players to the roster, and the current scholarship count is well over the limit. That isn’t a problem at this point, and it won’t be until summer camp in August. But there will need to be some maneuvering to eventually hit that 85 scholarship cap.

It’s never too early for a way-too-early depth chart projection though. There’s been two days of spring ball (without pads), the roster is bloated as can be and there will be tons of changes between now and even the start of summer camp in August.

This is a depth chart that is what I think the Pitt coaches might be thinking at this point in time, but since it’s so early in the offseason, it remains to be seen what the coaches are thinking. That will become more apparent as the spring wears on.

Anyway, here’s an early depth chart. And just another reminder, this will certainly change before the season begins. It’s an updated version of the previous way-too-early depth chart following the transfer portal moves earlier this offseason.

We’re going to exclude any players who are not currently enrolled at Pitt, which leaves a few potential impact true freshmen off the depth chart — for now.

Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Gavin Bartholomew (86) September 23, 2023 David Hague/Pittsburgh Sports Now

Quarterback

Nate Yarnell is the guy. It’s his job to lose, and Christian Veilleux and Eli Holstein will compete behind him. I don’t expect Yarnell to lose his spot any time soon. We’ll circle back in the fall — unless something drastic occurs over the next couple of months.

I’m intrigued by a full offseason of Yarnell as the starter and what that could mean in terms of offensive growth, but also what Holstein will be able to do with added reps. He’s a wild card. Holstein has a lot of ground to clear.

Running Back 

Is it finally time for Rodney Hammond Jr. to shine in Pittsburgh? He’s the most talented running back on the roster, but it’s been an up-and-down couple of seasons. I’d still pencil him in as the lead back — as he was supposed to be last season.

I think Desmond Reid and Derrick Davis Jr. both have a lot of potential as speed backs in Bell’s offense. Reid, especially, considering his pass-catching chops, but Davis might be the fastest in the room. Daniel Carter will be the vet in the room, good for some short-yardage carries.

Montravius Lloyd and Juelz Goff will be fun to watch this spring.

Wide Receiver 

I think five of the six wideouts in the two-deep are pretty secure. Konata Mumpfield, Kenny Johnson and DaeDae Reynolds should be able to hold down the starting unit, and Poppi Williams and Censere Lee are certainly going to be in the mix.

That leaves a few options for that last two-deep spot. And I think, considering the tempo of the offense, there could be eight-ish wideouts who are utilized on a game-by-game basis. Zion Fowler-El, Lamar Seymore, Izzy Polk and Che Nwabuko are all in the mix.

There’s some versatility when it comes to alignment and sets, but that will be figured out more over the spring.

Tight End 

It’s no surprise that Gavin Bartholomew is the guy. That’s not gonna change. Jake Overman is more of a blocker, and Jake Renda is more of a receiver. The roles are pretty well defined here.

Offensive Line 

There are some moving parts on the Pitt offensive line, but if everyone is healthy, I think the starting unit is pretty steady right now. Branson Taylor and Ryan Baer outside, Terrence Moore in the middle and Ryan Jacoby and BJ Williams flanking him. Is it a unit that should be pretty cohesive? Probably.

There’s decent depth. Lyndon Cooper can play at all three interior spots, and could even challenge for starts, and Jason Collier Jr. — for better or worse — has some starting experience. Jackson Brown and Terrence Enos Jr. are solid as reserve tackles.

There’s the potential for some flip-flopping throughout camp, but this is a pretty steady unit. Looking forward to Caleb Holmes arriving.

Defensive Line 

We’ve got some real guesswork here. Dayon Hayes is a starter, that’s for sure. Nate Temple and Bam Brima could start, but I feel like the eventual impact play from Nate Matlack (and I imagine he’ll quickly gain the favor of the coaching staff this offseason) will outweigh the veteran leadership from Temple and Brima. David Ojiegbe is in the mix, as is Jimmy Scott. I think there’s pretty solid potential outside.

It’s a lot murkier inside. Nick James, Sean FitzSimmons, Elliot Donald and Nahki Johnson are talented, but there’s a serious lack of experience. Even less so when it comes to Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington.

The pecking order is still to be determined, and it might be the most important battle on the Pitt defense — either the defensive front or in the secondary.

Linebacker 

We’re probably gonna see Keye Thompson and Brandon George in some order at Mike — I’m leaning toward Thompson as the starter and George as the often-used backup. It’s more unpredictable outside.

Solomon DeShields is gonna start at either Star or Money, likely Money. Kyle Louis, Jordan Bass, Braylan Lovelace and Rasheem Biles are all talented, young linebackers who could play at either outside spot. It’s about finding the right configuration when it comes to their usage. It’s a young unit, but there’s a lot of potential — especially with Jeremiah Marclin and Cam Lindsey.

Of course, Thompson could also spend time at Money himself, and that would create a shift, too. Lots of possibilities.

Defensive Back

I feel good about projecting the safeties and much less so about projecting the cornerbacks.

Javon McIntyre and Donovan McMillon are going to start, at field and boundary, respectively, and P.J. O’Brien Jr. is going to play a lot — flexing in for more obvious passing downs.

I feel pretty good about projecting Ryland Gandy as a starter at this point, which also isn’t a certainty, but I’ll admit I’m uncertain outside of him. Noah Biglow and Tamarion Crumpley are often linked together. Tamon Lynum will have a chance to carve out a role after arriving from Nebraska this offseason, and Rashad Battle (a noted leader this offseason) is finally healthy. Gotta see more from the corners to be sure.

Special Teams 

Pretty straightforward here. Ben Sauls is the starting kicker, Caleb Junko is the starting punter (Jacob Bronowski has expressed excitement about working with him, and there wasn’t a punter brought in) and Nilay Upadhyuyula is replacing Byron Floyd as the starting long snapper.

Returner will be more interesting. It’s tough to project at this point, but Johnson had success as a kick returner last season, and Nwabuko has the track star speed to replace M.J. Devonshire. Pitt still needs to figure out the punting situation though.