Analysis: Key takeaways as Pitt reveals opening depth chart
For Pitt, Monday morning brought the formal transition from fall camp to regular weekly practices, as the Panthers prepare to face Duquesne Aug. 30 in both schools’ 2025 opener.
Monday also brought some clarity regarding various position battles and general team developments, with the Panthers releasing their Week 1 depth chart.
While coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff likely don’t put as much stock into the depth charts as do fans and members of the media, Pitt’s two-deep is still useful to analyze who ended camp on a high note.
To that end, there were a handful (but not an overwhelming amount) of surprises the depth chart revealed, in addition to solidifying starters who were already known to have the edge at their respective positions.
Here are some highlights, notes and quotes pertaining to Monday’s depth chart release.
Starting LT named
On both sides of the ball, there were more answers than questions for Pitt regarding position battles and starters.
However, one spot that remained up for grabs until the end of fall camp was left tackle.
Michigan transfer Jeff Persi, a 6-foot-8, 315-pound specimen, competed against fellow transfer Kendall Stanley (Charlotte) this month and, per Monday’s release, Persi came out on top.
“Jeff came in during spring ball and played really well,” Narduzzi said. “Consistent, I would say, more than anything. Just shows consistency on a daily basis. He’s done a nice job for us. We’re excited to watch him come out and play his first game with that Pitt script.”
From left to right, Pitt’s starting line vs. Duquesne is projected to be: Persi, Keith Gouveia, Lyndon Cooper, BJ Williams and Ryan Baer.
Gouveia is the third and final o-line transfer (Richmond) Pitt brought in this offseason. Cooper and Williams return after full-time starting roles in 2024, while Baer looks to prove himself at right tackle following an up-and-down year in which he played both tackle spots.
Where’s CJ Lee?
Pitt’s wide receivers room is undoubtedly deep, but the omission of Censere “CJ” Lee, one of the Panthers’ key returning wideouts from last year, was notable.
Per the two-deep, Kenny Johnson, Poppi Williams and Louisville transfer Blue Hicks emerged from camp as the top three receivers.
Zion Fowler-El, Tony Kinsler and Deuce Spann are expected to see action behind those three.
But what about Lee?
Narduzzi alluded to Lee nursing an unspecified injury this entire offseason.
“CJ’s still recovering, but C could be on the two-deep,” Narduzzi said. “I just said leave him off, but CJ could play in this game (vs. Duquesne) if we need him to or want him to. CJ is available. We’re just going to be safe and smart with him. He was a starter a year ago and he’s back to maybe 99%. We’re just going to be sure.”
Brewu caps strong camp
Sophomore defensive tackle Francis Brewu was one of the main talks of camp over the past few weeks, and his performance earned him a starting role vs. Duquesne opposite junior Sean FitzSimmons.
Having made only one start in 2024, Brewu is among the Panthers’ top candidates to enjoy a breakout campaign this fall.
“Big growth,” Narduzzi said of Brewu. “He’s a guy who can push the pocket. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s like a Mack truck in there.”
That said, interior defensive line is a position that, in a perfect world, features one of the most regular rotations.
With Brewu, FitzSimmons, Isaiah Neal, Jahsear Whittington and Nick James, Narduzzi likes his depth at defensive tackle.
“They’re all starters,” Narduzzi said. “We feel good about all of those guys. And really who starts in that game depends on practice this week. … Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday determines who gets to start. They’re all going to play probably an even amount of snaps.”
Splitting kicking duties
Narduzzi unveiled a surprise toward the end of camp in naming walk-on true freshman Trey Butkowski as Pitt’s starting kicker over Murray State transfer James London, who subsequently departed the program.
While Butkowski will handle field goal duties to start, sophomore Sam Carpenter will kick the ball off.
That arrangement is far from set in stone, though.
“Just watching them kick, one guy’s going to kick it to the goal line and one guy’s going to kick it five yards deep, so it comes down to that,” Narduzzi said. “That can change at an instant. There’s still a battle going on at kicker, but Butkowski’s the guy to start off with. We got a lot of confidence in him and Sam Carpenter. I’m excited for both of them.”
Close battles at DE
Like offensive line, the d-line was a position of emphasis this offseason for Pitt, which brought in Jaeden Moore (Oregon), Blaine Spires (Utah State) and Joey Zelinsky (Eastern Michigan) from the portal.
Spires or Moore will start at one of Pitt’s defensive end spots, along with returning standout Jimmy Scott, who made 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last fall.
Zelinsky finished fall camp at the No. 3 defensive end spot behind Spires and Moore.
Freshman DB depth
It wasn’t a surprise to see Cruce Brookins and Javon McIntyre lock down the starting strong and free safety spots.
Ditto on Tamon Lynum and Rashad Battle being named as Pitt’s starting cornerbacks.
But behind them on the depth chart were some intriguing developments in line with what Narduzzi was relaying about his young defensive backs.
For one, true freshman corner Shawn Lee breaks camp as the primary reserve behind Lynum, which all but indicates he’ll be in line to see the field early if keeps up the good work.
“Shawn is a football player,” Narduzzi said. “His dad played ball — I think his dad coached him for a long time in high school, so he’s not just a freshman coming from a program that didn’t coach football. I give his dad a lot of credit for how (Lee) came prepared.
“I just think he’s a football player. But we’re going to find out. He’s a young guy, but we’re not afraid to put him out on the field and find out what he’s got.”
Similarly to Lee, fellow true freshman Josh Guerrier will begin the season as Brookins’ backup at strong safety.
Behind McIntyre, Cal Davis transfer Kavir Bains-Marquez emerged from camp as the main backup at free safety.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.