Pitt's Isaiah Neal demonstrating versatility along defensive line

As a counter to Central Michigan’s run-heavy, three-quarterback offense in Week 2, Pitt unveiled an interesting defensive scheme featuring five linemen.

The result could be judged in only 40 net rushing yards allowed by the Panthers.

Key to that look was Isaiah Neal, normally an interior lineman, deploying at end.

Neal must have proved he could handle the change of responsibilities because last weekend against Boston College, with depth thin at end, coach Pat Narduzzi played him there again.

“It could be long-term,” Narduzzi said of the move. “(Neal) is a guy that plays with a great motor. He’s very detailed. He’s smart. That’s why he’s a personal protector on our punt team. He can execute everything we need him to execute. He’s kind of a ‘tweener,’ between a defensive end and D-tackle. … He’s tough enough to play inside, and he’s athletic enough to play on the edge. So he’s one of those guys that can play both.”

Neal (6-foot-2, 265 pounds) finished with three tackles (two for loss), a sack and a pair of quarterback hurries against Central Michigan.

Against Boston College, he posted one tackle and another hurry.

Helping to plug the gap with Blaine Spires and Zach Crothers unavailable, Neal’s performance impressed teammates.

“He can move really well, so I think he kind of fits naturally,” defensive end Jimmy Scott said. “He’s one of our best pass rushers, and with two guys going out last week, he definitely stepped in and filled the role to the best of his ability.”

Neal said the Panthers have cross-trained him at defensive tackle and end since the spring.

But against Central Michigan was the first live game reps he’d taken at end, followed by Saturday’s start at the position.

These days, Neal is practicing at both positions, staying ready for wherever Pitt might need him to play.

As it pertains to defensive end, he aims to develop the same proficiency as at tackle, the position he was recruited to play.

“It’s not something that I was doing every single day up until recently,” Neal said. “Being able to go out there and consistently have the little details right — that’s my biggest thing. I feel like there’s a lot of plays where I’m doing the right thing, and it’s just that next little step that’ll take me to the next level so I can become elite, whether they need me on the outside or the inside. I don’t want to just be a placeholder. No, I want to be able to help the team.”

Regardless of where he’s played, Neal has continued as a valuable contributor for coordinator Randy Bates and position coach Tim Daoust.

Last year, Neal played in all 13 of Pitt’s games, starting a pair and getting his feet wet as a redshirt freshman.

This season, he’s posted 10 tackles, including two for loss, along with a sack and three quarterback hurries, tied for second most on the team.

Seeing action at tackle and end has allowed Neal to appreciate what’s required at either spot, including the subtle technical differences between positions.

“It’s definitely different,” he said. “There’s a lot more intricacies out there at defensive end. You have to be a little bit more mentally savvy, whereas on the inside, you’ve got to be a physical dog — you have to know what you’re doing, but you have to be physically present every single play. It’s the same at end, but the biggest part is getting home every single play.”

It remains to be seen how Narduzzi will use Neal moving forward.

The health of Spires and Crothers may play a role in needing Neal to continue eating snaps at end, whereas Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James, Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington form the rotation along the inside.

Regardless, in practice and the film room, Neal is committed to being as prepared as possible for all contingencies.

“It’s being focused in the meeting room and being able to, when my name is called, help the team at any position,” Neal said. “I’m mentally prepared, so all I have to do is go out there and physically execute what I know I have to do. … If they need me at end, I can go out there and execute. If they need me inside, I can go out there and execute.”