Young Transfer Impressing New Pitt RB Coach

The Pitt Panthers could have a sleeper running back waiting to be unleashed.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers welcomed a new running backs coach Lindsey Lamar to the program last month and after spending much of his first few weeks in a new job on the road recruiting, he's finally getting a chance to take stock of his new unit. 

Lamar has been impressed with one player in particular and that's LSU defensive back turned Pitt running back, Derrick Davis, a transfer who didn't take many snaps last year but has stood out during winter workouts. 

"He can roll, he can run," Lamar said. "We were running sprints the other day and he’s beating them every single time in that group." 

Lamar's been impressed with more than just Davis' physical skills, too. He said Davis' work ethic and attention to detail has been excellent as well and the rising redhsirt sophomore has taken on a bigger leadership role as well, with a pair of seniors having departed the program at the end of last season. 

“Honestly, he’ve taken on more of the vocal leadership of the group because he’s doing stuff the right way so far," Lamar said. "He’s showing up on time, which means early for us, he’s getting extra work in, he comes to meet with me numerous times just to get extra work. ... He’s been doing a tremendous job as well. I love what I’m seeing from Derrick so far.”

Davis, a Pittsburgh native and former four-star recruit coming out of Gateway High School, played defensive back for most of his first year at LSU. And when he transfered to Pitt, he was still in the middle of the transition to becoming a full-time tailback. 

Davis was impressive during the spring game, accounting for 44 total yards and a receiving touchdown in his first live action as a Panther. But as the new kid on the block in the running backs room, Davis was buried on the depth chart behind veterans Rodney Hammond, C'Bo Flemister and Daniel Carter. 

Davis made just seven appearances during the 2023 season, the vast majority of which came on special teams. He rushed twice for eight yards in the season opener against FCS Wofford. With Carter and Flemister having moved on after graduation, a new opportunity has opened up for Daivs and he's taking full advantage of it with the 

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