Pitt loses 2 depth LBs for season; Pat Narduzzi reveals surprise in naming starting kicker

While Pitt still boasts Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles and Braylan Lovelace as its starting linebackers, the position group suffered a blow Thursday when coach Pat Narduzzi announced two season-ending injuries.

Sophomore Jeremiah Marcelin (upper-body) and redshirt sophomore Jayden Bonsu, an Ohio State transfer, won’t play in 2025.

“Those are two good football players,” Narduzzi said. “Obviously, with Rasheem Biles, Kyle Louis and Braylan Lovelace, you feel great about those three guys. … But we still feel good at that position.”

Naturally, other players will see their names elevated on Pitt’s opening depth chart, which Narduzzi said will be released Monday, as the Panthers begin formal preparation for their Aug. 30 season opener vs. Duquesne.

At the Mike and Money linebacker spots, where Lovelace and Biles are expected to start, redshirt senior Nick Lapi is next in line to see action.

Lapi has appeared in 36 games with Pitt, primarily on special teams and in a reserve linebacker capacity.

In total, he’s made 18 tackles (two for loss) since joining Pitt in 2021 as a walk-on.

Lapi is prepared to step in at any of the linebacker positions if and when required.

“I’d say I’m very comfortable, being my fifth year,” Lapi said. “I know multiple positions and the ‘why’ to each position. I know Money, Mike and Star — feel comfortable at all, wherever I’m needed.”

Aliquippa’s Cam Lindsey, a redshirt freshman, will back up the All-American Louis at Star.

Lindsey, one of the crown jewels of Pitt’s 2024 recruiting class, only appeared in two games last fall but has been described since January as a player who’s made significant improvements, physically and mentally.

Narduzzi commented Thursday that Lindsey looks more like a 225-pound specimen than his actual weight, which is closer to 210.

For Lindsey, being a sponge during position workouts with the likes of Louis and Biles, who was an All-ACC selection in 2024, has been highly beneficial.

“Being with the guys and going from their point of view when they’re out there, like Kyle and (Biles) — going off what they’re saying and adding technique to it to try to grow my game. Playing fast, not hesitating and being confident — those are probably the main things I’ve gotten from them,” Lindsey said.

On top of the immense individual disappointment felt by Marcelin and Bonsu personally, their absences no doubt strain Pitt’s depth at a key position.

But Narduzzi can rest a bit easier knowing the linebackers are still anchored by dynamic playmakers in Louis and Biles, with Lovelace looking the part of someone who could elevate to that status.

Surprise at kicker

It goes without saying that when a team goes out of its way to bring in a kicker from the transfer portal, the expectation is they’ll start.

That has to be what Narduzzi and Co. envisioned when they got James London from Division I FCS Murray State, with the intention of replacing Ben Sauls, who is now in camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, Narduzzi revealed Thursday that walk-on freshman Trey Butkowski, enrolled at Pitt only since June, had edged London, as well as redshirt sophomore Sam Carpenter.

“He’s had the best numbers coming through camp,” Narduzzi said. “He’s a young guy we brought in as a true freshman and we’re excited about his future, so he will be the starting kicker coming into the opener. We’re happy for him and his family.”

Per Narduzzi, London is no longer with the football program.

Butkowski began fall camp as the third-string kicker before ultimately winning the competition.

“Mentally, I would tell myself I have nothing to lose,” he said. “Just go out there and swing my swing.”

While unexpected, a walk-on edging a scholarship kicker is not unprecedented. Just ask Sauls, who went through that situation with the Panthers in 2021.

Sam Scarton won the starting job over Sauls and was solid, hitting 81% (17 of 21) of his field goals during Pitt’s run to an ACC title.

“Obviously, as a head coach, you kind of go to the scholarship guy, ‘You better win the job,’ ” Narduzzi said. “But we won an (ACC) championship with a walk-on kicker and earned a scholarship because of it in camp. So then we had two kickers on scholarship. That’s the name of the game.”

Narduzzi said Butkowski has hit field goals from 49 yards during camp this month and expressed confidence in his range. However, time will tell if Butkowski can translate what he’s shown in camp to games.

“We have a lot of faith in him, but gamedays are gamedays,” Narduzzi said.

Added Butkowski: “Obviously, I haven’t experienced quite like college football yet. But I feel like I’ve played in enough big games in high school and I’ve been put in pressure situations throughout camp, so I’ll be able to draw on that.”