Thoughts from Pitt Spring Practice No. 1 | PGHSN PULSE

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As Pitt opened the 2025 spring camp on the South Side Tuesday, there was a lot to take in as the Panthers returned to the field after finishing last season 7-6.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi took his first media press conference of spring camp to pay the respects of freshman cornerback Mason Alexander, who passed away in a car accident a week ago back home in Indianapolis, Ind. Narduzzi noted that Alexander’s funeral services will be on March 25 as the team prepares to take that day off to travel and pay their final respects.

Quarterback Eli Holstein is back and healthy as he continues to work as the No. 1 signal caller for the Panthers. Pitt has four quarterbacks currently on the roster with Holstein, Julian Dugger, David Lynch and early enrollment freshman Mason Heintschel.

There are a handful of position battle on the offensive front, including at wide receiver as four different receivers will vie for the outside spot across from Kenny Johnson. Transfers Cataurus Hicks, Deuce Spann and Andy Jean, along with Censere Lee will work to lock up that spot by the end of spring camp.

There was also some news regarding personnel as running back Che Nwabuko was surprisingly no longer with the team. That leaves the running back room even more thin than it already is. Desmond Reid, Juelz Goff and Derrick Davis Jr., who is returning from injury, will be the top three running backs in the room with a lot of young talent behind them.

Another position battle unfolding is on the offensive line at tackle as transfer Jeff Persi and Kendall Stanley look to supplant Ryan Baer, who saw starting time at both right and left tackle last fall.