Pitt Football
Six Potential Offensive Risers During Pitt Spring Camp
Anything can happen over the next few weeks when it comes to the roster makeup for Pitt football as spring camp opens, especially positioning in the second and third string ranks.
Last year, players like safety Cruce Brookins, defensive end Sincere Edwards and center Lyndon Cooper all rose in the spring before stepping into important roles during the 2024 season.
There are lots of players to select from with plenty of spots to secure in the depth chart, but here are Pittsburgh Sports Now’s names to watch on the offensive side of the ball to rise during spring camp.
Cataurus Hicks — WR
Hicks might not be much of a reach as he should come in and compete for a top receiving job at Pitt. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Louisville transfer might project as a slot receiver, but the Panthers are testing him out on the outside.
The staff believes his speed can take the top off the defense, something they are looking for this season opposite of Kenny Johnson. There will be a lot of competition for that spot, however, with other transfer receivers in Deuce Spann (Florida State) and Andy Jean (Florida), along with Censere Lee and Zion Fowler-El pushing for more snaps.
As a redshirt-freshman, Hicks showcased his skill level in spurts, especially when Pitt came to town and the wide out hauled in a career-high six receptions for 63 yards. He totaled 12 receptions on the year for 149 yards, including a big 51-yard reception against Jacksonville State.
Cataurus Hicks with a beautiful catch for 51 yards from Shough!
What a catch from the freshman!!!!
Huge future for @BlueCataurus if that is just a taste! #GoCards #Louisville
— Cardinal Companion (@CardsCompanion) September 7, 2024
There’s a long way from the 2025 season opener, but Hicks could become a household name in a hurry for the Panthers.
Tyreek Robinson — WR/KR
Robinson preserved a redshirt while appearing in four regular-season games and the GameAbove Bowl against Toledo. He finished the season with three receptions for 27 yards, including a season-long 20-yard catch against Syracuse. He also showed flashes in the return game with eight attempts, compiling 182 yards for an average of 22.75 per return.
With his blazing speed — a 10.59 100-meter dash type of runner coming out of high school — Robinson will become a go-to return option once again, and would not be surprised if he quickly takes over the starting designation in the spring.
Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyreek Robinson (24) August 31, 2024 David Hague/PSN
The Shreveport, La. native, who is rumored to have put on some more muscle in the offseason, will also be a candidate to solidify a spot on the two-deep in the slot behind Raphael “Poppi” Williams.
Malachi Thomas — TE
Thomas is another player that should not come as much of a surprise as a riser during spring camp, but we’ll still group him in here for the potential he has as he continues to develop heading into his sophomore season.
Entering last season as a true freshman, the 6-4, 225-pound tight end was named a Preseason True Freshman All-American. In burning his redshirt, Thomas played in all 13 games as a reserve tight end and special teamer. He caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown against SMU.
He blocks well, has a large frame and can be another red-zone threat for the Panthers if they use him properly.
Without Gavin Bartholomew, Thomas has an opportunity to make a major impact alongside Jake Overman for the Panthers in 2025 and that should be felt quickly in the spring.
Ja’Kyrian Turner — RB
Here is where the predictions get a little more bold as we delve into some players that have not played a single snap of collegiate football in their career.
Pitt has some question marks outside of Desmond Reid and Juelz Goff, who should wrap up the No. 2 running back position. Beyond that, Derrick Davis Jr. is in the mold, but he finished the 2024 campaign banged up, missing the bowl game. When Rodney Hammond Jr. returned, Davis’s production went down as he did not record a single carry in four of the final eight games of the season.
Turner is a running back candidate that can come in and make some serious noise. The offensive staff is high on him and some have termed him as a “freak” with the way he is working out in the weight room and beating teammates in drills.
The 5-9 freshman out of South Sumter High School in Wildwood, Fla. has some extreme speed, running an unofficial 4.29 40-yard dash at a high school prospect camp. He recorded 134 carries for 978 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns, while adding nine receptions for 111 yards (12.3 yards per reception) this past fall.
Turner could be a name on everyone’s radar coming out of spring camp.
Tony Kinsler — WR
Kade Bell’s offense is all about speed at wide receiver and Kinsler possesses the necessary wheels to be considered in the conversation of a quick riser, even as a true freshman.
The Spruce Creek High School product posted a best 11.09 100-meter time at the East Coast Classic meet in February on 2024. He produced back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons as a junior and senior. This past fall, he totaled 66 receptions for 1,005 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Round 1✅ pic.twitter.com/tJoRBfEPND
— Tony Kinsler (@TonyKinsler2) November 19, 2024
In his first few months on campus, Kinsler has already impressed the coaching staff and could be a third option in the slot for the Panthers this season.
Moritz Schmoranzer — OL
Schmoranzer enters year two at Pitt after not seeing the field as a freshman and earning a redshirt. He was the only lineman in the 2024 recruiting class that enrolled early, so this spring marks a full year in Pittsburgh for the Germany native.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman has a background in running track and spent his first year in the United States playing wide receiver at North Cross School in Virginia. His speed and footwork can be beneficial in Pitt’s up-tempo offensive style.
Pittsburgh Panthers offensive lineman Moritz Schmoranzer (54) August 31, 2024 David Hague/PSN
Schmoranzer can be a riser at the offensive guard position behind projected starters Keith Gouveia and BJ Williams. From there, Terrence Enos Jr. and Ryan Carretta are backup options, but behind them, Schmoranzer can make his case this spring as a depth guard.
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