Three Takeaways: Pitt's Deep LB Group

The Pitt Panthers return from spring break with some players beginning to separate themselves.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers returned from spring break, put on full pads and got back to work this week to continue their critical development in spring ball. 

As they get back to work, the Panthers have begun to see players separate and form the beginnings of what their top units will look like.

To that end, here are three takeaways from spring practice No. 4 at Pitt. 

Deep LB Group
I am as high on this group of Pitt linebackers as any other position group on the team. There were some growing pains last year as they dealt with injuries and got their youth some of their first playing experience but, given all that returns, it's easy to be optimistic about what this group can do in 2024. 

Solomon DeShields is back, looking to build on a breakout 2023 season in which he finished third on the team in tackles and second in tackles for loss. Brandon George gives them stability at linebacker and there are four freshmen - Kyle Louis, Braylan Lovelace, Jordan Bass and Rasheem Biles that showed flashes of great talent last season. 

"We’re going to play some guys there," head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "We’re going to play six linebackers a lot." 

The cupboard looked bare heading into fall camp of 2023 at linebacker for Pitt but credit to position coach Ryan Manalac - he's built quality depth to the point that not many, if any, are talking about the loss of starting outside linebacker Bangally Kamara to the transfer portal anymore. 

Questions at DT
Pitt lost Calijah Kancey to the pros one year, then their three stalwart defensive tackles graduated and Deandre Jules, a rising star at the position, hit the transfer portal. That was before the program lost star defensive line coach Charlie Partridge for the NFL. 

I like the talent here, but whoever steps up to take over a full-time starting job will be doing so for the first time in their career. There's a trio of players that Narduzzi identified as standouts early in spring ball, albeit on limited snaps - Nahki Johnson, Nick James and Sean FitzSimmons.  

Johnson is a defensive end convert but the Panthers are excited to see how his quickness translates to the inside, where his job is simpler. James is a former four-star recruit that held offers from Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, LSU, Ohio State and others - who was buried down the depth chart at Indiana last season. FitzSimmons could have played a lot last year if injuries didn't keep him sidelined for an extended period. 

We're still waiting to hear how players like Elliot Donald and Isaiah Neal are progressing, but this is already looking like a thinner defensive tackle group than the Panthers have been used to enjoying during the Narduzzi era.

OL Outlook
On paper, it's pretty easy to pick out who Pitt's top six - maybe even top seven - offensive linemen will be going into the 2024 season. Ryan Bear and Branson Taylor look like locks at the tackle spots, same for Terrance Moore at center and BJ Williams at left guard. 

Really the only question is when will Ryan Jacoby get back into the fold? Narduzzi said prior to the Panthers leaving for spring break that interior lineman Ryan Jacoby was close to a full return from the preseason knee injury suffered last year but there hasn't been an update since. Will he replace Jason Collier Jr. as the top right guard when he does return? I'd be willing to wager yes but with a new offensive system in place, Jacoby might still have some catching up to do.  

Versatile NC State transfer Lyndon Cooper will add to that depth and, later this year when he enrolls at Pitt, top recruit Caleb Holmes could do the same. 247Sports' Chris Hummer identified Holmes, listed at 6'4 and 290 pounds on his recruiting profile, as the most talented player in the Panthers' latest recruiting class and someone who can step in and play right away. 

In somewhat of the same vein as the linebacking group, this was a position that had to create depth out of necessity when the injury bug hit over and over again. Now you've got players like Williams, Moore and even Terrance Enos who have starting experience that makes you feel more confident throwing them into the fire in 2024.

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