Pitt Not Settled on Workhorse RB Yet

The Pitt Panthers are still in the process of looking for a top tailback.

PITTSBURGH -- On their first official depth chart of the 2023 season the Pitt Panthers listed Rodney Hammond as the top dog at running back with a log jam behind him - C'Bo Flemmister and Daniel Carter as co-backups and Derrick Davis bringing up the rear as a third-stringer. 

That order didn't come as much of a surprise but head coach Pat Narduzzi's comments on how the distribution of labor within that deep running back room did. He said the Panthers don't know who will take the lion's share of rushes this season. 

"Last year, we knew who the guy was," Narduzzi said. "I mean, he took it over and we’re waiting for someone to take it over. I think right now it’s a committee of guys."

Narduzzi is referencing Israel Abanikanda, who amassed more than 1,400 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns as the Panthers' lead back last season. But even though he was the listed starter on the depth chart prior to kickoff of the season opener, it was Hammond - the backup - who took the bulk of the touches (20 rushes and receptions to Abanikanda's nine) against West Virginia. 

Hammond suffered a brutal leg injury in the Backyard Brawl that opened the door for Abanikanda to take the starting job by the horns. Narduzzi is looking for one of his top four backs to do the same. Yes, he has a listed starter, but Narduzzi won't close the door on that competition just yet. 

"We’ll find out who’s durable, who’s hitting, who’s hot and then we’ll start to figure it out," he said. "Is it hot by the game? Is it hot by the year? I don’t know. We’ll figure that out as we go through the year.”

2022 was a rare instance in which the Panthers leaned almost entirely on one starting running back for an entire season. Historically, Narduzzi offenses have split the workload evenly and the Panthers will keep an open mind as they open the regular season. 

"It’s like for years you guys have seen two or three running backs going," Narduzzi said. "We’ll find out who the guy is. ... Daniel is good, C’Bo is good and of course, Rodney and we’ll find out where it goes from them."

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