Pitt notebook: Defense evens score with offense in scrimmage; RB2 emerges

It’s a privilege for Pitt’s players to sport blue practice jerseys during fall camp, and the Panthers’ offense and defense compete for the honor throughout August.

Scrimmages serve as that battleground, and, initially, on Aug. 9, it was the offense that came on top, earning the right to wear blue while relegating their defensive counterparts to white jerseys.

However, on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium when the Panthers met for another scrimmage, this time it was the defense that triumphed.

Coach Pat Narduzzi relayed that his team, which is nearing its 2025 season-opener Aug. 30 vs. Duquesne, ran 122 plays on offense and defense, plus 42 special teams snaps.

“We got good work in,” Narduzzi said Tuesday at UPMC Sports Complex on the South Side. “Walking out of there, I told the kids afterwards, ‘Hey, I like what I saw.’ I don’t care who wins the scrimmage. It doesn’t come down to that, but just the execution (and) the details were much better.

“Overall, when you walk out of there, you go, ‘This is a pretty good football team.’ We still got a ways to go. We aren’t near where we want to be, but I was excited about what we did.”

Defensive backs Shadarian Harrison and Josh Guerrier came down with interceptions, while receiver Blue Hicks caught a touchdown pass from Cole Gonzales.

Under The Lights ????️

Scrimmage #2 ⏪#H2P pic.twitter.com/tZrILm6Y36

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) August 19, 2025

Narduzzi said he was happy with the play of quarterback Eli Holstein, while tailback Desmond Reid, who didn’t partake in Pitt’s first scrimmage, was held out of Sunday’s affair, as well.

Narduzzi said that has been solely precautionary.

“Des is healthy and ready to go,” Narduzzi said. “He’s practiced hard every day, and I’m happy with where he is.”

RB2 clarity

With Reid a nonparticipant Sunday, someone had to take the first-team reps at tailback.

The player who stepped up in that capacity was redshirt freshman Juelz Goff.

Goff, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound back, had 18 carries for 46 yards last year in three games. He also hauled in six catches for 56 yards.

Most of his statistical damage came in the GameAbove Sports Bowl vs. Toledo, where he managed 63 all-purpose yards.

Now, Goff has emerged as the favorite to back up Reid.

“Desmond Reid, we know he’s the starter, right? There’s no position battle there,” Narduzzi said. “But, like, who’s going to be that backup? I think Juelz has done a great job of saying, ‘Hey, I’m that guy.’ He’s just really been good.”

Pitt’s tailbacks room had to clear some hurdles heading into fall camp, when senior Derrick Davis was ruled out for the year because of injury.

Freshmen Snykwan Smith and Jaylin Brown were also listed as potentially out for the season with injuries.

That led the Panthers to bring in Jalynn Williams from Western Carolina, and Justin Cook (who switched positions from wide receiver) and Ja’Kyrian Turner have also competed at tailback.

Goff, who arrived at Pitt in January, has stuck out among the pack.

“I feel like it’s night and day for me from a year ago,” Goff said. “A year ago, I would know what I was doing in the meetings and then get out there and make a freshman mistake. This year, I’m more comfortable just understanding the offense, understanding the concepts. It’s allowed me to play faster.

“In practice, I’ve showed mainly my knowledge, just knowing the offense, and being explosive — knowing what I’m doing, knowing where I’m supposed to be at and playing fast.”

Props for frosh TE

Jake Overman, entering his sixth collegiate season and second at Pitt, is headlining the competition at tight end for the Panthers, along with sophomore Malachi Thomas and Justin Holmes, a Marshall transfer.

Narduzzi hasn’t quite ironed out the pecking order at the position (nor has Pitt released a depth chart just yet), but those three should be expected to comprise the primary rotation.

That said, true freshman Max Hunt has tossed his hat in the ring as a tight end capable of seeing game action in 2025.

“He’s kind of a gamer,” Narduzzi said. “… When we were in the stadium, he just made plays. He’s done it in practice, but he’s just consistent, he catches the ball, he runs well and I’m happy with where he is.”

Competing at the Florida Class 6A high school level, Hunt made 17 catches for 292 yards as a senior last fall before enrolling early at Pitt this past January.

Hunt, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound player from Tampa, has also caught the attention of Overman.

“He has a lot of upside,” Overman said. “He’s great in the route game and he’s a real smooth pass-catcher. I’ve been working with Max a lot, kind of taking him under my wing and showing him there’s more to football than just catching the ball.

“As a tight end, getting down and dirty and blocking those defensive ends, those Mike linebackers — Max has been on a steady incline, which has been so cool to see from a young guy.”