Pitt notebook: Panthers don pads for 1st time; new era begins at tight end

The cracking of helmets and lowering of shoulders in practice gets Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi fired up.

That should come as no surprise for a football lifer such as Narduzzi, now in Year 11 with the Panthers and his 36th as a collegiate coach.

While Narduzzi was delighted enough to begin fall camp Wednesday, Friday represented the first time Pitt put on shoulder pads, signaling the impending intensification of August practices that will culminate in full pads early next week.

“Excited to put the pads on today,” Narduzzi said Friday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “We had 10 OTAs during the summer, we had two practices this week that seemed like OTAs with a helmet on, but really, today we’ll find out where we are. I think that’s the important thing: find out where we are physically. I know we’re faster, I know we’re stronger. We’ll find out if we’re better football players.”

Leading into Friday, Narduzzi could tout the significant number of returning players eager to redeem themselves from a disappointing second-half tailspin in 2024.

He could lean into the implications of Pitt, for the first time since Kenny Pickett’s final year in 2021, returning a quarterback for the second straight season in Eli Holstein.

And he could point to a plethora of transfer portal reinforcements on both sides of the ball, as well as special teams, brought in to plug holes, facilitate better depth and potentially produce new starters.

“I’m looking for crisp play,” Narduzzi said. “It’s always hard to evaluate an offense or a defense when you’re not physically moving people. The last couple days, when the offense hands the ball off, the linebackers are smart (and) they’re not throwing shoulders. Today, shoulders, and there’s going to be leverage. You either move a guy off the ball or you don’t.”

New chapter at TE

Gavin Bartholomew dominated the tight ends room at Pitt from 2021-24, leading to his selection in the sixth round of this past NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

With his departure after 49 career games played, a new era at the position has arrived.

Despite Bartholomew’s dominance, fellow tight end Jake Overman, now a redshirt senior, still managed 17 grabs for 160 yards and a touchdown last season, his first with Pitt after transferring from Oregon State.

Pitt also returns sophomore Malachi Thomas, who appeared in all 13 games last season.

The Panthers added Justin Holmes, a 6-foot-3, 245-pounder from Marshall via the transfer portal.

Bartholomew’s departure no doubt leaves a void, but Narduzzi is still setting the bar high for the position in 2025.

“We expect a lot of our tight ends,” Narduzzi said. “Jake’s become a big-time leader for us. Malachi’s just got to be more consistent and Justin Holmes has done a nice job for us. I’m excited about what he brings to help us win a championship.”

Holmes’ role at Marshall was primarily as a run blocker, as he posted only one catch in 13 games last season.

But over two seasons at Kent State (2022-23), Holmes was deployed more as a receiver.

Suffice to say, Holmes is encountering a significantly different offensive scheme as to what he’s played in previously.

“It seems like a physical, fast offense — emphasize fast,” Holmes said. “The tempo, we’re running around quick every day.”

Also looking to make an early mark is Max Hunt, a 6-4 freshman from Tampa, Fla.

Kicking acclimation

In theory, of all the position groups, a kicker should have the easiest time moving up a level of competition.

Panthers transfer James London is actively looking to do just that, as he was brought in on scholarship from Murray State to fill the shoes of Ben Sauls, who, like Bartholomew, had been a staple at his position for multiple years.

At Murray State of the FCS last year, London hit 14 of 19 (73.7%) attempts, with a long of 55 yards en route to earning a spot on the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team.

London drilled 6 of 9 tries from beyond 50 yards last year and did not miss (6 for 6) from 40 yards or less.

However, Narduzzi has yet to declare London as the starting kicker. The coach wants London to prove he can handle kicking in big moments in front of big crowds.

“It’s nice that he’s kicked,” Narduzzi said. “Bringing a guy off the street, bringing a guy that’s never kicked in a game — that’s a problem. A guy that’s kicked in front of 2,000 (fans), 5,000 — whatever it may be, but it’s going to be a little different at Acrisure Stadium. That’s going to be the big challenge, is how does he adjust to ACC football?”