Up-Tempo Offense Appealed to Pitt Offensive Line Transfers

During the offseason leading up to the 2024 Pitt campaign, the Panthers’ offensive line went through a new training program to prepare for the fast-paced style of Kade Bell’s offense.

While those who were on the roster from the previous season were thrust into the training with the change, Pitt’s recent offensive line transfers joined the Panthers because of the desire to play in that very up-tempo, pass-heavy offense.

“One of the biggest reasons I came here is I love pass [protection]. I love protecting. I think that’s one of the reasons why I came here is they’re playing fast in the offense,” Charlotte transfer Kendall Stanley said.

It’s not often that offensive linemen prefer pass pro over run blocking, but Stanley finds comfortability in the manner.

“It’s like playing chess,” Stanley said. “I love pass pro. It’s like playing chess with the games, the twists, learning it.”

Stanley – a 6-foot-5, 290-pound tackle – spent three years at Charlotte and was an All-AAC honorable mention this past season.

Pitt transfer offensive lineman Kendall Stanley. Courtesy of Stanley’s X account.

The thought of entering the transfer portal did not cross the Charlotte, N.C. native’s mind until the final weeks of his redshirt sophomore season, but it was then that he knew it was time for a change.

“During the end of the season, I had thought about the transfer portal. With the coaching changes, I thought it was time for a new change. I already had three different head coaches, so I thought it was time for a new experience at another place.”

Once in the portal, Stanley gathered offers from Miami, Michigan State, BYU, Kansas, Oregon State, Memphis Virginia Tech and UTSA. However, when he received the offer from Pitt, a connection with former Charlotte teammate Nico Crawford made the move even easier.

“I reached out to Nico and I was like, ‘How does it feel here,’ and he was like, ‘Yeah, go ahead and come. We play fast.’ I was like, ‘Bet.”

Much like Stanley, Richmond transfer Keith Gouveia found the Pitt offensive play style appealing.

“It’s definitely an explosive offense. I dealt with that at Richmond in a no huddle offense and I think that’s really good for offensive play,” Gouveia said.

Gouveia will line up inside at guard and invites the physical battles in the trenches.

“Being physical and pulling. In pass pro, you get to really get under somebody’s grill. You’re close to somebody, really physical play.”

Some of my senior year film. pic.twitter.com/NjidPLQ0NQ

— Keith Gouveia (@TheKeithGouveia) December 10, 2024

The Stephens City, Va. native spent the past four seasons at Richmond where he started 24 games. With one season left, he decided it was time to gamble on himself and make the jump to the Power Four level.

“I felt as I was ready to go play at a higher level and I wanted to test that out for myself,” Gouveia said.

While Stanley and Gouveia are moving up a level, Pitt’s third transfer linemen, Jeff Persi, comes from playing for an elite college program.

Persi, who stands at 6-foot-8, transferred to Pitt from Michigan, an old-school, run-heavy offense, but he feels ready to convert to a new style.

“We were a lot slower at my old school,” Persi said. “I’m really excited about it. I think there’s a lot of opportunity in playing fast and getting more plays in. Coach Bell also talks about being able to take shots – play fast, but score past. There’s a lot of opportunity there to put points on the scoreboard.”

In five seasons at Michigan, Persi appeared in 41 games as he played for the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line in 2022 and was a part of the 2023 National Championship winning Wolverines.

Offensive lineman Jeff Persi joins Pitt after five seasons at Michigan. Photo courtesy of Michigan Athletics.

With all of that experience under his belt, Persi, who has one final season of eligibility, is ready to bring that to Pittsburgh.

“A lot of it is work ethic, knowing what it takes and seen what it’s like to get to that point. A lot of its hard work and being close to the team building those bonds and that brotherhood, so at the end of the day, when it comes to Saturdays and game time, you’re willing to put that much more on the line for your brothers,” Persi said.

For the trio of offensive linemen, one thing that they share in common is the way they have quickly built a connection with o-line coach Jeremy Darveau.

“He’s been awesome,” Persi said. “Really cool. He likes to have fun, but also very serious when it needs to be. Great teacher, very technical, very on top of that kind of stuff. Very personable, too. He really cares about his players, which is very evident and something that I think is awesome to have in a position coach.”

“He’s a funny dude,” Stanley added. “Just learning him. He’ll joke with us at the time, but when its time to get in that mode and get ready, he knows how to switch off that switch.”

With a wave of experience from Persi, Gouveia and Stanley, the three understand there’s a need for improvement for a line that has dealt with its fair share of struggles over the past few seasons.

“There’s a sense to get better and a lot of the older guys in there, I see they push to get better and a lot of the older guys in there push each other and other position groups around them to get better.”