Pitt's Dayon Hayes living up to high standards set by defensive line coach Charlie Partridge

Charlie Partridge has been a guiding light for football players at Pitt, Wisconsin and five other schools since four years before the turn of the century.

In that time, he has coached All-American defensive linemen who became pros such as J.J. Watt, Patrick Jones, Rashad Weaver, Jalen Twyman and (soon to be high NFL Draft choice) Calijah Kancey.

All of that didn’t happen by Partridge lowering the standard he sets and expects from every player under his tutelage.

No one knows that better than Pitt senior defensive end Dayon Hayes (Westinghouse), who has taken the baton from Kancey and others as the leader of the 2023 line.

“I think I do have a lot of responsibility, but I think it’s my time to shine,” Hayes said Thursday after the last practice before the Blue-Gold Game on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.

“I think I can take that leadership role. I think it’s my time to take that step forward and be that top dog.”

Hayes is prepared to shoulder that responsibility, knowing he must meet Partridge’s specific standards of effort, knowledge, working beyond required hours and being a great teammate. Hayes said he is willing to accept the tough love.

“He got on me (Thursday), and I had to just take it,” Hayes said.

Said Partridge: “I have to hold him to a high standard all the time and cannot allow his standard to drop. Same with Haba (Baldonado) and those guys last year. If I let their standard drop, the standard isn’t what you preach, it’s what you tolerate. Like all young men, you’ll get in their feelings, and I have to remind them, this isn’t personal.”

Partridge’s goal: “Making sure you live up to what your dreams are.”

Hayes has been a major part of Partridge’s defensive line rotation for the past three seasons. He made his first start in the Sun Bowl last year, recording a sack — the eighth of his career — in Pitt’s victory against UCLA.

“With improved technique and experience comes confidence,” Partridge said of Hayes. “He learned how to play faster. He’s one of the older statesmen in the room, and people are looking up to him.

“Like all players that get thrust into that role, at some point in their career, there are going to be learning moments. He has the personality to (lead). As long as he’s able to maintain and control his feelings — feelings get us all in trouble — then he’s going to be fine.”

One of the themes of this year’s spring drills was rebuilding the defensive line after losing Kancey, Baldonado, Deslin Alexandre and Chris Maloney.

By all accounts, Hayes has performed well in a group that includes six-year senior defensive tackles Devin Danielson (Thomas Jefferson), Tyler Bentley and David Green (Central Catholic) and freshman Isaiah “Ghost” Neal, an early enrollee who is going to his high school prom next week.

“He’s way ahead of me (at the same age),” Hayes said of Neal. “He’s super smart.”

Several young ends have caught the attention of coaches, including redshirt sophomore Nahki Johnson (West Mifflin) and redshirt freshmen Sam Okunlola and Jimmy Scott.

Okunlola’s strength is a quick twitch off the line of scrimmage. Regarding Okunlola’s progress, Partridge said he was reminded of the 2018 Notre Dame game when “it all clicked” for Jones, who eventually became an All-American and a third-round draft choice.

“I knew from that day forward Pat was going to take a jump. I think Sam is on the threshold of that,” Partridge said.

Scott’s big moment occurred this spring when he was doing extra film work — beyond required practice hours — and head coach Pat Narduzzi came into the room and started peppering Scott, a former high school running back, with assignment questions.

“Jimmy didn’t perform in that moment the way he wanted to,” Partridge said. “From that moment forward, Jimmy’s been in every day about the same time, 6, 6:15 (in the morning). It’s really helped Jimmy.

“All those talents are starting to show up.”

Note: Narduzzi said the new spring game format will match offense vs. defense, with first-unit players opposing each other much of the time. “It will be better than what we’ve seen,” he said. “Fewer mismatches. Excited to try something different.”