With the first of 15 spring practices complete, Pitt took the opening step toward coalescing as a team months ahead the 2026 football season.
After Monday’s session, the Panthers will continue practicing over the next month-plus, culminating in the annual Blue-Gold Spring Game on April 15.
For coach Pat Narduzzi, Monday represented an initial opportunity to assess Pitt’s roster, which includes 16 transfers, 16 freshmen who enrolled early, plus returnees such as quarterback Mason Heintschel and linebacker Braylan Lovelace.
“I truly believe through the portal that we have a better football team right now than we had last year, just like last year, I knew we had a better football team than we had the year before,” Narduzzi said at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Time will be the true gauge of Narduzzi’s early optimism, as the Panthers come off an 8-5 campaign that ended with Pitt falling to a depleted East Carolina squad in the Military Bowl.
Gone are standout linebackers Kyle Louis, who participated last week at the NFL combine, and Rasheem Biles, who transferred to Texas, along with receiver Kenny Johnson (transferred to Texas Tech), defensive lineman Francis Brewu (transferred to Notre Dame) and others.
To replace their production, Narduzzi went out and acquired linebackers Alex Sanford Jr. (Purdue) and DeMarco Ward (Memphis), receiver Malik Knight (Western Carolina) and defensive linemen Eliyt Nairne (Tulane) and Jeremiah Warren (Illinois).
No. 18 here is Malik Knight, Pitt’s lone transfer portal addition at wide receiver (Western Carolina): pic.twitter.com/wgyU56hGGl
— Justin Guerriero (@GuerrieroTrib) March 2, 2026
Of Pitt’s 16-member transfer class, only five arrived from Power Four institutions. But Narduzzi had no complaints about how the offseason went.
“I think we did a heck of a job in the portal in replacing guys for whatever reason,” Narduzzi said. “I’m excited, really at every spot. … I think we nailed it. We brought in 16 new transfers. We brought in 18 on visits, and we got 16 out of the 18, and the two we didn’t get, we didn’t want.
“I think we’re really picky with who we take, and I think we made the right decisions.”
Heintschel’s return was arguably the Panthers’ biggest offseason success, as, in the age of transfer portal fluidity, NIL and revenue-sharing, player retention can’t be guaranteed.
Narduzzi didn’t hesitate to label the sophomore his starting quarterback so far out from the season opener, and for good reason. Heintschel’s unexpected rise last fall contributed mightily to Pitt’s recovery from a sluggish 2-2 start, even if the year ended anticlimactically.
In the aftermath of the Panthers’ 23-17 loss in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27, a stressful multi-week period followed for Pitt as Heintschel stayed quiet about coming back.
Then, on Jan. 15, the Panthers got the announcement they were hoping for, with Heintschel opting to return for Year 2 under Narduzzi and coordinator Kade Bell.
“That month was kind of just time for me to debrief, reflect on the season (and) all that kind of stuff,” Heintschel said. “But what brought me back is just the relationships. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be here. What I’ve built with coach Bell, coach (Narduzzi) and, honestly, the rest of the guys on the team, I think we have a really great group here. Like, a really great group.
“I’m really excited for what we can show. I think that was the biggest thing for me. I’m excited for what we can do here. I’m excited to bring a championship to Pitt. I wholeheartedly believe that we can do that, and we’re going to get that done.”
As he took the field for drills Monday, Lovelace, now a senior, took time to reflect on the commencement of his fourth spring at Pitt, with his final year in a Panthers uniform approaching.
Lovelace, a Leechburg graduate, earned honorable mention All-ACC accolades in 2025, emerging as a full-time starter at middle linebacker following two seasons in a complementary role.
Now it will be on Lovelace to help Pitt’s younger players such as with Sanford and Ward.
“I remember like it was yesterday when I was out there for my first spring, fresh out of high school, asking Shayne Simon what the play calls were and things like that,” Lovelace said.
Pitt’s players now set out to make the most of spring and so will Narduzzi’s four new assistants: Harlon Barnett (assistant head coach/safeties), Joe Bowen (linebackers/run game coordinator), Brent Davis (tight ends) and Mike Priefer (special teams).
Here are the linebackers, under new position coach (and run game coordinator) Joe Bowen: pic.twitter.com/EzIZIximpL
— Justin Guerriero (@GuerrieroTrib) March 2, 2026
Cory Sanders, promoted to defensive coordinator in late December following Randy Bates’ retirement, also navigates uncharted territory this month, now from the play-caller’s seat.
Narduzzi is hoping a bit of improvement every day goes a long way.
“We’re looking to see how sharp we are,” Narduzzi said.
“(We’re) looking for execution. It’s early, but we try to get 3% better every day. I say really, ‘Some of you guys may get 6-8% better each day.’ … Just looking for improvement every day.”
Notes: Lovelace, who began his collegiate career at outside linebacker before moving last year to the middle, said Monday that he is back to practicing primarily on the outside.
Narduzzi also commented on athletic director Allen Greene’s announcement in late January to tarp off Acrisure Stadium’s upper east and west side seating, which will drop capacity for Pitt’s home games this fall and beyond from 68,400 to 51,416. The Panthers are set to go from the second-largest seating capacity in the ACC (behind only Clemson) to 10th. In 2025, Pitt averaged 51,845 fans over its seven home contests.
“I haven’t had one player come up and say, ‘Coach, what are we doing?’ I don’t think anybody really cares,” Narduzzi said. “I think it’s going to improve the energy in that stadium. I think that we had the (second)-largest capacity last year in the ACC. … I just think moving everybody down is going to feel a lot better. Do I love it? No. Did I like it 10 years ago when someone mentioned it? Not really. But I think change is good, whether it’s a new coordinator or a new idea. I think it will improve what (Acrisure Stadium) looks like. The attendance isn’t going to go down. It’s just moving (fans) closer to the field. It will be a better experience for the players and fans.”
