Pitt “Report Day” is tomorrow, and that means fall camp is just about to begin. And it will be the first chance for the new-look Panthers to prepare for the upcoming season.
The offensive changes have dominated the headlines, but Pat Narduzzi is excited for the defense. “There’s gonna be a lot of new faces making a lot of plays,” Narduzzi said last week at ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C.Â
So, let’s take a look at some of the defenders that Narduzzi mentioned.
Safeties: Donovan McMillon, who emerged as a great safety for us, he’ll start. P.J. O’Brien is in the backend as well, with Javon McIntyre — and Cruce Brookins. We got four really good safeties. I think the whole defense runs with those four guys because they’re talking to those corners and outside backers every play.”
Defensive Line: “Nick James at D-tackle, I’m excited about our inside guys and our outside guys. A lot of guys you maybe haven’t seen a lot of football at Pitt, but guys that are gonna make a lot of plays. They’re fresh, they’re hungry, they’re new.
Linebackers: Not a lot of playing experience, but I’m excited about what the linebackers are gonna do — Kyle Louis is gonna be unbelievable. Our middle linebacker is gonna be Brandon George, has been a leader for us for years, he gets a chance to take it over. We got a linebacker from Ohio U, Keye Thompson, I could go on and on. I’m excited about all the different pieces we have on defense.”
Ryland Gandy: “Ryland Gandy, we haven’t talked enough about since I’ve been down here, is certainly one of our starting corners. So he’s emerged. Who’s gonna be that other starting corner?”
Nate Matlack: “There might have been a lot of people that watched his video tape and said he didn’t fit in, but watched him — they came from a 3-4, so he’s kind of a tall, skinny guy that was playing in a four technique, head up on a tackle, and you’re kinda like, eh, you don’t like what you saw. But when that guy got put on the edge, he’s got what we need in our defense. He’s gonna be a guy to reckon with this year in this conference.”
