Pitt Camp Notes: Early Developments From Week One

PITTSBURGH — Pitt football completed its second day of spring camp Thursday on the South Side as the intensity ramped up in preparation for the first day of pads on Saturday.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi spoke following the practice period to provide insight on some of the happenings from the first week.

Here are some observations and notes from Thursday’s camp.

• QBs — Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein is back and healthy after ending last season with an injury he sustained at Louisville. As he looks to take the next step in his second season as a full-time collegiate starter, Julian Dugger will back him up. Narduzzi confirmed Thursday that he is the backup signal caller and could potentially have specific packages called for him: “You saw the bowl game, so there’s no question about it. You’ll have to defend him in the run game and he’ll hurt you in the pass game, too. There’s always going to be a special package for him.”

Pitt quarterback Julian Dugger. March 13, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

• RB2 — Narduzzi also confirmed that Goff is the frontrunner right now as the second running back option behind Desmond Reid saying, “Right now, it’s Juelz without a doubt. The guys played in games and it took him a while to get going, but he looked good in the bowl game.” The running back room in camp looks like this: Reid, Goff, Ja’Kyrian Turner and Justin Cook, who is working out with the RBs.

Pitt running back Juelz Goff. March 13, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

• Derrick Davis Jr — Davis, who left last year’s regular-season finale has been absent from spring drills thus far and Narduzzi provided some clarity on the situation. “Right now he’s out. I’m hoping he’s back for [fall] camp. He had a pretty serious injury up there in Boston.” Narduzzi stated that Pitt had 19 offseason surgeries, but did not release any other specifics.

• Che Nwabuko — PSN reported Tuesday that running back Che Nwabuko was no longer with the team. Thursday, Narduzzi shed more light on the situation stating that Nwabuko is still on campus. He suffered an injury at the end of last season and is still rehabbing it. He will get his degree in September and will focus on track and field.

• Safety — Narduzzi says Brookins is in line to take the second starting safety role alongside Javon McIntyre. He also says Jesse Anderson has been really good so far in the first week of camp. UC Davis transfer Kavir Bains-Marquez is set to be a backup option for the Panthers as he has shown his twitchiness and high IQ in camp so far, according to Narduzzi. Freshman Josh Guerrier has also made some plays early in the first week that has caught the coaches’ attention.

Pitt safety Cruce Brookins. March 13, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

• Offensive tempo — It is the start of Year 2 for offensive coordinator Kade Bell, which means more comfortability in the offense as the offseason goes. Narduzzi noted that the offense looks more in sync at this point in camp than it has and caught the defense several times with its cadence on Thursday: “Thought there was too many offsides on the defense. The offense did a nice job with their cadence. That’s a tribute to Eli and the quarterbacks and Kade Bell. He got them today”…“It looks totally different as far as just the tempo. We still got to go out and execute. We’re still aren’t nearly where we need to be. The tempo, it’s always going to be better in Year 2.”

• Quick hits — Here are some additional notes on a handful of the new faces on the roster:
  • Cal U transfer cornerback Rashan Murray is standing out early and had an interception on Thursday.
  • Louisville transfer wide receiver has showcased his speed and wiggle and Narduzzi says he has a “swagger” about him.
  • Freshman wide receiver Tony Kinsler is another skill position guy sticking out and he has carried that over from his workouts over the winter as an early enrollee.
  • Murray State transfer kicker James London had his first opportunity to kick on Thursday. Narduzzi said he seemed a little tight and missed some kicks — certainly something to follow as camp develops.