Pitt notebook: Backup offensive lineman Liam Dick enters transfer portal

Liam Dick, recruited from Milton, Ontario, in the class of 2019, became the second Pitt offensive tackle to leave the program since the end of spring ball when he entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to Rivals.com.

Dick, rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, redshirted in 2019 and did not appear in any games last season. During spring drills, Pitt reduced its competition for two starting tackle spots to Carter Warren, Matt Goncalves and Gabe Houy.

Dick is one of three backups to leave the program this offseason, joining offensive lineman Carson Van Lynn and wide receiver Will Gipson (Aliquippa). Van Lynn has transferred to Pitt’s ACC Coastal Division rival Duke.

Even after losing Van Lynn and Dick, Pitt has plenty of depth on the offensive line, with senior Keldrick Wison, junior Blake Zubovic and sophomore Jason Collier, a former tight end, set to compete for playing time when summer camp opens in August. There are also six freshmen or redshirt freshmen working with line coach Dave Borbely.

Pitt is also well-stocked with wide receivers. Six of the top seven pass catchers at that position return this season. Plus, transfer Melquise Stovall will rejoin Pitt wide receivers coach Brennan Marion, his position coach at Hawaii.

While losing three players, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi wasn’t shy about using the transfer portal to his benefit, adding Stovall, guard Marcus Minor (Maryland) and cornerback and Aliquippa graduate MJ Devonshire (Kentucky). All three are expected to contribute this season.

Baseball players earn All-ACC honors

With Pitt’s baseball team preparing to meet North Carolina on Tuesday in the ACC Tournament, four Panthers were named to the All-ACC third team. They are third baseman Sky Duff, outfielder Nico Popa, second baseman David Yanni and starting pitcher Mitch Myers.

Duff takes an 11-game hitting streak and a .365 batting average (fourth in the ACC) into the tournament. Popa is the first Panthers player to earn All-ACC honors twice. He was named to the second team in 2019.

Yanni is Pitt’s all-time leader in games played (222), starts (211) and walks (146). This season, 25 of his 35 hits went for extra bases. Myers is Pitt’s No. 1 starter, recording a 4-5 record, 1.21 WHIP and 3.17 ERA.