Three Biggest Winners from Pitt's Spring Game

These three Pitt Panthers capped their spring ball with a bang.

PITTSBURGH --  There were plenty of standout performances from the Pitt Panthers' spring game, which ended in a 33-32 win for the defense, but these three players made the biggest strides during the spring and showed they could be major contributors come fall. 

P.J. O'Brien

Entering the Spring Game, it appeared that O'Brien stood narrowly on the outside, looking in at a starting job for Pitt in on the backend of the starting defense, but he demonstrated some electric playmaking abilities that will make it tough to keep him off the field. His 50-yard interception return for a touchdown flipped a likely loss for the defense into an almost sure win. 

He showed flashes of brilliance at times last season, like when he blocked and recovered a punt in the Tennessee game, but there were also flashes of immaturity and overzealous energy that cost him. O'Brien looks more comfortable in the defense now and, if he can continue to hone that energy and athletic ability in more productive ways, he can be a star for this team. 

Samuel Okunlola

Okunlola maintained his redshirt last season while getting some snaps in the Sun Bowl. Defensive coordinator Randy Bates admits that "Sammy O", as he's known around the team, got thrown around a bit against UCLA but has put on the weight to make himself a force at this level of football. 

He has long arms and the quick twitch movements that are common in star pass rushers and with more time in the system has come competency. There are snaps up for grabs on the now young and ever-rotating defensive line that Okunlola is now in good position to grab. 

Jake McConnachie

The Pitt Panthers are searching for a third wideout to fill the void left by Jared Wayne's departure for the NFL and the competition is wide open, meaning their next starter could come from anywhere. It could even be a walk-on. 

McConnachie, a walk-on that many of his teammates and coaches believe is well on his way to earning a scholarship, has been outstanding in spring ball. He brings strong hands, long arms and a big, rangy body to the offense and plays with an edge that is most clear when he blocks. 

He was on the receiving end of the longest pass play of the afternoon - a 24-yard pass from Christian Veilleux against the first team defense - and has established himself as a real force in all phases of the offesne this spring. 

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