How Might the Pitt Offense Look for the Bowl Game?

The GameAbove Sports Bowl is just a week away, and Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt coaching staff are beginning on-field preparations.

There are some moving pieces (transfer portal losses, NFL Draft declarations, injuries), but Narduzzi said roughly 90% of the seniors will play. So, while Konata Mumpfield is out, there likely won’t be many other opt-outs.

Eli Holstein and Desmond Reid aren’t locks, as the pair deal with injuries, but there’s a good chance both play. It’s an offense that — based on the eventual injury decisions — may or may not look vastly different.

So, here’s a look at how the Pitt depth chart may look against Toledo on Dec. 26 at 2 p.m.

Quarterback

Eli Holstein – David Lynch

Eli Holstein will start if he’s healthy, and there appears to be a pretty good chance he will be. If not, with Nate Yarnell and Ty Dieffenbach in the transfer portal, walk-on David Lynch is the next man up.

Julian Dugger is available, but it doesn’t appear he will be a factor.

Running Back 

Desmond Reid – Derrick Davis Jr. or Juelz Goff

Desmond Reid missed the regular season finale with an injury, but if he’s healthy, he will start. Derrick Davis Jr. left the season finale with an injury, what appeared to be a serious injury, so his status is an unknown.

Juelz Goff is the only other scholarship running back on the roster, so he could have another extended run.

Wide Receiver 

Kenny Johnson – Cameron Monteiro

Poppi Williams – Tyreek Robinson

Zion Fowler-El – Benny Haselrig

The wide receiving corps is in flux. Kenny Johnson and Poppi Williams are the only ones left from the five announced starters each week. Konata Mumpfield is headed to the NFL, Daejon Reynolds entered the transfer portal and Censere Lee is out with an injury. Even Lamar Seymore is out.

Narduzzi expressed his excitement in seeing Tyreek Robinson back on the field, and Zion Fowler-El (one catch), Cameron Monteiro (no catches) and walk-on Benny Haselrig (one catch) are in the mix.

Tight End 

Gavin Bartholomew – Jake Overman

It’s the end of the road for Gavin Bartholomew. He’s headed to the Senior Bowl but hasn’t announced he’s sitting out. So, for now, he’s the starter. Jake Overman and Malachi Thomas (if Bartholomew doesn’t go) will give a look toward next season.

Offensive Line

Ryan Baer – Jackson Brown

Ryan Jacoby – Jason Collier Jr.

Lyndon Cooper – Caleb Holmes

BJ Williams – Ryan Carretta

Terrence Enos Jr. – Isaiah Montgomery

It’s somewhat harder to project the offensive line. It’s changed so many times this season with injuries and poor play, but it seems likely that the most common unit will at least start the game.

Ryan Baer, Lyndon Cooper and BJ Williams are locks. It’s likely that Ryan Jacoby will start in his final game at Pitt. After that, it’s uncertain. It could be a chance for Narduzzi and the coaching staff to get some younger linemen into some game action.

Depth Chart 

QB – Eli Holstein

RB – Desmond Reid

WR – Kenny Johnson

WR – Poppi Williams

WR – Zion Fowler-El

TE – Gavin Bartholomew

LT – Ryan Baer

LG – Ryan Jacoby

C – Lyndon Cooper

RG – BJ Williams

RT – Terrence Enos Jr.