Depth, local flavor show up on Pitt's defensive line

Not one prone to make exaggerated claims, Charlie Partridge rattled off names of 13 players he believes will contribute on Pitt’s four-man defensive line before the end of the season.

Roster numbers are important, especially early in the season when heat can be an issue. It’s also good to keep in mind that this is a college team, and consistent performances from everyone can be difficult to maintain. Then, there are the inevitable injuries in an area of the field where big bodies crash into each other.

When told that depth might not be a problem this season, Pitt’s defensive line coach said, “Hope not.”

“You never know when you get a string of unfortunate incidents, but I feel pretty good right now where we are in late August.”

With so many numbers, Partridge puts less importance on who lines up for the first snap than he does on who makes the most plays during the game. They are often different people.

“I think you guys (reporters) know how I work,” he said. “I could have two to three starters (at one position). I could have a starter who doesn’t take the first rep, but he gets starter-level reps and you have two to three guys who rotate.”

At end, senior Dayon Hayes, a Westinghouse graduate, is one of six Pitt defensive linemen who grew up in western Pennsylvania and are expected to log significant playing time.

Hayes has recorded eight sacks in three previous seasons, but Partridge is interested in more than numbers when referencing him.

“He’s coming to work every day,” Partridge said. “There’s never that fall-off in terms of effort, compared to years past. That was a part of his growth process. He didn’t know when he wasn’t working. Now, he knows. I’m not having to track his effort from snap to whistle as much as I have in the past. There are going to be a couple loafs that pop up, but his sheer, pure effort running to the ball has been fantastic.”

Asked to comment on the ceiling for Hayes (6-foot-3, 265 pounds), Partridge declined.

“It’s hard to predict,” he said. “There have been a lot of players who went way beyond what I could have anticipated, so I don’t know where the ceiling is. We’ll find out.”

Now that Pitt has conducted two scrimmages, the depth chart will come into clearer focus this week. Next to Hayes are redshirt sophomore Nahki Johnson (West Mifflin), juniors Bam Brima and Nate Temple and redshirt freshmen Sam Okunlola and Jimmy Scott.

Okunlola (6-4, 245) has the look of pass rusher, but that’s only part of what might get him on the field.

“Sam loves pass rush,” Partridge said. “He’s learned to love and appreciate stopping the run, which is the admission ticket to the other.”

Of Johnson, Partridge said, “Nahki is starting to turn the corner.”

At tackle, senior Deandre Jules (6-3, 310) has lost weight and looks like he might become what coach Pat Narduzzi cherishes most: a solid run stopper.

“It sounds like coach-speak,” Partridge said, “but he’s matured off the field. That led into a good diet, and that led to the weight loss. He doesn’t have distractions. He’s handling his schedule so much better and playing really good football. Minimal mental errors through the entire camp, and he’s just allowing his talents to really rise up.”

Jules’ next start will be his first, but this also looks to be his time.

“There are guys in the developmental phase that can pop right up into the rotation,” Partridge said. “Everyone has their own unique journey, and Jules’ journey has been one that I’m proud of his persistence. Now, he’s going to get the chance to see the fruits of his labor.

“In a developmental program, you’re going to have a lot of guys who are third-, fourth- and fifth-year guys who come out of that development phase who show up and you’re wondering where they were. They’ve been here the whole time. They’ve just been in the crockpot, getting better, getting ready to go. Jules is looking like a guy who has a chance to have an impact for us.”

Jules is one of four senior tackles, including Tyler Bentley, Devin Danielson (Thomas Jefferson) and David Green (Central Catholic).

Green has been on campus since 2018 and has seized a leadership role among tackles.

“Tremendous leadership, tremendous character,” Partridge said. “You know what he’s going to be every single day. And coaches and teammates, whether they even realize it, love a consistent guy. You’re not surprised by what walks in the room.”

Among the younger guys, redshirt freshman Sean FitzSimmons (Central Valley) will play this year, Partridge said.

“Fitz has gotten so much better with his knowledge, his awareness; for example, knowing where his protection is going to slide and how to take advantage of that.”

Partridge added that redshirt freshman Elliot Donald (Central Catholic) is “still cooking. He’s still coming along.”

Even first-year freshman Isaiah Neal has displayed some skills.

“He’s got really good twitch. He’s got great pass-rush instincts. He just has to continue to develop his body and be in a good position against the run.”

After Partridge sorts though all 13 of those names, there will be good chance that all four linemen on the field at one time or another will be local products, perhaps Hayes and Johnson at end and Danielson and Green at tackle.

“It’s a testament to the high school coaches here in Western Pennsylvania,” Partridge said, “and the great job they’re doing developing D-lineman. There have been quite a few to recruit in the past five, six years.”