If the presumed starter of a Pitt position group is ruled ineligible for the entire season less than 24 hours before the season opener, it doesn’t tend to bode well for the success of the unit going forward.
But what about when that presumed starter is suddenly deemed eligible after four games? That’s pretty good, right?
It was surprising that Pat Narduzzi announced Rodney Hammond Jr. would be available for the North Carolina game this week, and the rest of the season, but his absence allowed the coaching staff to unleash Desmond Reid in his FBS debut — and it was a radical success. The running backs room is now a strength entering conference play.
Hammond is returning to a room where he isn’t the starter anymore, Reid has earned that right through the first quarter of the season, but Hammond will have a role to play in an offense that will allow him a whole lot more freedom.
“(Hammond) brings a lot,” Pat Narduzzi said Thursday at his weekly presser. “Obviously, Desmond’s the guy right now, the starter, but Rodney’s been practicing every day since it happened. And we’re ready to roll.”
Reid has been a revelation since arriving from Western Carolina over the winter. He may be small, listed at 5-foot-8 and likely standing closer to 5-foot-6, but he hasn’t ever let his size — or lack thereof — hold him back. And it certainly hasn’t held him back through four games this season.
If not for the heroics of Eli Holstein (and a breather against Youngstown State), Reid would be talked about as a savior. He’s shown up when it’s mattered for Pitt this season.
In three games, he’s racked up 44 carries for 319 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown, 13 receptions for 167 yards (12.8 yards per reception) and three touchdowns and a 78-yard punt return touchdown.
Pitt Panthers running back Desmond Reid (0) September 14, 2024. Michael Longo/PSN
Reid rested against Youngstown State, and while he could’ve played if needed, it afforded him the chance to enter ACC play 100% healthy. That was more important than an unneeded stat-padding performance.
“He’s looking great,” Narduzzi said. “He’s looking like a new man. He’s back, and it was smart for us to hold him out last week, two weeks ago, I guess it was. He’s ready to roll.”
Reid is ready to roll, and while Daniel Carter capitalized on the opportunity to receive the bulk of carries against Youngstown State in the non-conference finale, Hammond is a natural complement to the diminutive dynamo. Reid is somehow a blend of thunder and lightning, but his frame isn’t ideal for taking hit after hit with a 30-touch workload.
Hammond isn’t exactly a workhorse himself, but his style of play should complement Reid well. And maybe best of all, neither needs to shoulder a 30-touch per-game workload. The partnership, which will lean more toward Reid (and perhaps open his game up even more), should be beneficial.
Reid-Hammond is an enviable 1-2 punch out of the backfield, but the exact distribution of snaps remains uncertain.
Hammond has practiced since being deemed ineligible, and in the build-up to being ruled eligible on Wednesday, he served as the scout team running back — emulating North Carolina star Omarion Hampton. Narduzzi admired Hammond’s work ethic throughout his time away.
“He’s been great,” Narduzzi said. “He’s been mature. It’s weird, I grabbed him, I don’t know if it was over the weekend, and just said you need to take every rep. We’re playing the best. He was on the scout team on Tuesday, and you need to go out there and play and give us that best possible look.”
Reid and Hammond form a duo that will be very interesting to watch against UNC, but Carter, Derrick Davis Jr. and Che Nwabuko aren’t out of the picture — not entirely.
Carter was strong against YSU, and if not for Hammond returning to the field, he would shoulder the bulk of non-Reid opportunities. That’s obviously going to change with Hammond in the lineup, but he’s more than just a goal-line back. Davis and Nwabuko, in particular, will have opportunities, too.
The exact distribution of touches in what is now a crowded room isn’t certain. But Reid and Hammond form the starting duo, with Reid still leading the way, and Carter is waiting in the wings.
Pitt will have a strong running back corps to utilize throughout conference play. And it will be very interesting to watch against UNC this weekend.
|
Carries |
Yards |
Yards/Carry |
TDs |
Catches |
Rec. Yards |
Rec. TD |
Desmond Reid |
44 |
319 |
7.3 |
1 |
13 |
167 |
3 |
Daniel Carter |
11 |
137 |
12.5 |
2 |
2 |
18 |
1 |
Derrick Davis Jr. |
16 |
44 |
2.8 |
2 |
2 |
17 |
0 |
Che Nwabuko |
3 |
65 |
21.7 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
0 |
Eli Holstein |
38 |
189 |
5.0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Glad to see that the issue is behind him. It’s always great to have more options. Not sure how much impact we will be able to see … I suppose it depends on how much better/different Rodney is to Daniel & Derrick. Look forward to watching it play out. H2P !