Three Takeaways: Pitt Embraces Change

The Pitt Panthers are embracing change all over as they move through 2024 spring practices.

Sep 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Daniel Carter (4) and / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers are now two thirds of the way through spring ball and if it wasn't clear enough already, not much is the same from last year. That might be a good thing as they try to improve on an dismal 2023 season.

With that in mind, here's where some of that change is coming, delivered in the form of three takeaways from Pitt's 10th spring practice of 2024.

Running Backs' Role
A lot of the discussion around Pitt's new offense has centered on the quarterbacks, with some tangents to the receivers and tight ends at time. But the one skill position that has been mostly overlooked is running back, where the Panthers have a wealth of talent but just who, if anyone, will rise above the rest is an open question.

Rodney Hammond appears to be the top dog in the room but we've seen this before and last season, he ended up splitting carries with two other tailbacks somewhat evenly. Now there's been positive buzz about Derrick Davis Jr., Montravius Lloyd and Desmond Reid and Daniel Carter is a stalwart veteran that the last coaching staff trusted deeply.

As is the same case with the wideouts, I'd suspect Pitt plans on rotating somewhat heavily between their top two or three tailbacks given the tempo this offense expects to play at and the frequency with which they'll throw the ball. That's one insight Carter did provide when speaking to the media about how the running backs will be used - they're going to be running a lot of routes in an effort to stay versatile and that will mean a major role change for most of Pitt's tailbacks.

While Reid has caught 42 passes over the past two seasons, Hammond has 22 receptions in his three-year career and Carter has just 9. Lloyd has yet to play a down of college football and Davis has played in just one collegiate game as a running back. There's plenty of potential in this room, but they will have to make some major changes to get up to speed with what this offense will demand.

MORE: Inside Pitt Practice Report: Panthers Embracing Change

Embracing Change Up Front
Speaking of change, it's abound on the defensive line. New position coach, new leaders, new transfers, new starters and even new positions for some. So what's it all going to add up to? According to Narduzzi, good things - at least so far.

Narduzzi said he's been pleased with how the defensive line has progressed so far this spring. He sees a more athletic unit, made possible by some shuffling from the outside to the inside and the addition of some new faces. The Panthers are still feeling the sting of Charlie Partridge's departure, but they haven't let it get in the way of improving on what was - by their own standards - a disappointing year of production up front.

“I see our guys attacking a little bit more. I see us a little more aggressive up front. We’re knocking people back, which I really like to see. I really like what we’re doing up front. Like I say, sometimes change is good," Narduzzi said. "Charlie Partridge is a great coach - it doesn’t get any better than that - but hearing things in a different way. I see our guys coming off the ball. It’s just a different style of what we’re doing and there’s penetration and there’s eyes and hands and I just like the aggression. I can feel it.” 

Keeping Spring Game Plain
Fans hoping to see all of the new tricks Kade Bell's offensive scheme has in store will have to wait until the fall because head coach Pat Narduzzi did not promise that the Spring Game will showcase anything particularly insightful about how the unit will work. There will be some obvious schematic differences - the tempo, use of pre-snap motion and the frequency with which they go to the air - but Narduzzi promised to keep things "vanilla" during his team's first public action of 2024.

While there will be some changes that should, according to Narduzzi, make things more fun for the players - like the return of the Spring Game draft, which will lead to a more traditional Blue Team vs. Gold Team scrimmage - but splitting the roster down the middle doesn't create an environment conducive to clean offensive football so it's understandable why Narduzzi believes it wouldn't be a great time to unveil that new system to the world.

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