Pat Narduzzi Identifies Roster Building Priority for Pitt

The Pitt Panthers will need to find some answers at cornerback this offseason.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers will have plenty to work on this offseason as they try to pick up the pieces from a devastating 3-9 season and move on towards what they hope will be a better future.  

Head coach Pat Narduzzi was light on specifics in the aftermath of the Panthers' season-ending loss to Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, but he did identify one area in which he and the coaching staff will need to supplement the roster, with some significant losses expected at that position this offseason. 

"You think about all the plays Marquis Williams made and A.J. [Woods] and M.J. [Devonshire]," Narduzzi said. "We had three veteran corners who played good football for us all year. I thought M.J. had a pick there at the end which would have been critical. … We’re going to have to build at the corner spot for sure. Definitely a spot that needs to be retooled.”

Narduzzi said he still believes the Panthers have lots of talent in the locker room as it stands but the cornerbacks room in particular will be thinner after this season with Woods and Williams having exhausted their college eligibility this season and Devonshire facing a decision to either return to school or try his luck in the NFL Draft. 

Williams, Woods and Devonshire have combined to play in 144 games over 13 combined seasons in blue and gold. Ryland Gandy is the only underclassman corner to have even cracked the depth chart or make a tackle this season. 

The Panthers will likely need to dip into the transfer portal for depth, if not another starter and Narduzzi is aware of the experience deficit he'll face next season, even if they are able to develop young defensive backs like Temarion Crumpley, Noah Bigelow and Gandy quickly. 

“Across the board, talent, depth, whatever - we’ve got good players in that locker room and you’ve got to build around them," Narduzzi said. "We lose a lot of good seniors, so we’ll have those guys to replace."

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Pat Narduzzi: Pitt Won't Make Coaching Changes Soon

Pitt Collapses Late in Loss at Duke

Pitt Loses Starting LB to Injury

Pitt S Joins Good Company During Duke Game

Pitt RB Ejected From Duke Game

Two Backups Missing From Pitt's Travel Roster

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt