Pitt safety Kavir Bains-Marquez sees role, snaps increase with matchup against Florida State looming

Pitt’s coaches had a hunch that Kavir Bains-Marquez, a first-team all-conference safety at UC Davis of the FCS, would be a useful addition from the transfer portal last winter.

But a starter?

There probably was less certainty on that front, given the Panthers returned Javon McIntyre and Cruce Brookins at safety.

Yet with McIntyre banged up, Bains-Marquez has stepped into a more prominent role and made his first Pitt start vs. Boston College after seeing his snap count ramp up over preceding weeks.

“Kavir was ready for the opportunity, and I think he made the most of it,” Panthers safeties coach Cory Sanders said. “He did a really good job against Louisville and had about three open-field tackles against (wideout Caullin) Lacy, who’s a very talented, quick-twitch wide receiver.

“So he did very good in his role, just continuing to expand from there. I felt like last week, he played strong against Boston College, communication-wise and in general.”

When he chose Pitt over suitors such as West Virginia, Memphis and UNLV, Bains-Marquez set a straightforward agenda, centered around proving himself at the highest level of college football.

“I just wanted to come compete and play at a Power Four program,” he said. “Coming up from the FCS level, all you want to do is play ball and show that you can do it. I just wanted to come up here and get my name out there.”

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Bains-Marquez was used sparingly in third-down packages in Weeks 1-3, with his snaps dropping significantly against West Virginia on Sept. 13.

But after Pitt’s bye, on Sept. 27 against Louisville, he was thrust into a more prominent role when McIntyre was injured early.

“As players, you’ve got to be ready for opportunities,” Sanders said. “Your preparation is important. It doesn’t matter if you’re the first safety, the second safety, the third safety, whatever it may be, those guys are always preparing, ready for their opportunity. … Kavir’s snap count vs. West Virginia was at seven. Then vs. Louisville, he’s out there for 83 plays and special teams as well.”

Pitt dropped a winnable game against the Cardinals in Bains-Marquez’s first extended action. Still, he recorded seven tackles and a pass breakup in the defeat.

Last week, he made his inaugural start in a Panthers uniform, making a lone tackle but helping to limit a Boston College passing offense that ranked fourth nationally (344.5 yards per game) to only 189.

Bains-Marquez is up to 14 total tackles.

Now, a fresh challenge emerges for Bains-Marquez and Pitt’s secondary, which will go up against the offense of No. 25 Florida State on Saturday in Tallahassee.

Duce Robinson, a 6-foot-6 wideout who leads the Seminoles with 23 catches for 433 yards and three touchdowns, has been a prominent player in Pitt’s weekly film sessions.

“You’ve got to be strong and physical,” Sanders said. “You’re probably not going to win some jump balls with a guy like that, but, from a technical standpoint, technique-wise … that’s the biggest thing.”

Pitt faces a major test in Florida State, one that could illuminate whether the Panthers’ dismantling of Boston College was just a win over a bad team or something they can continue to build off of in turning the season around.

Bains-Marquez isn’t under any illusions as to the Seminoles’ talent, including quarterback Tommy Castellanos and the skill players around him.

But he’ll be taking the field Saturday with confidence in himself and his team.

“They’re a great team, great offense (and have a) great quarterback with weapons,” Bains-Marquez said. “But we approach it just like any other day. It’s just another game for us. With the most respect, they’re a great team, but we’re also a great team, as well.”