Pitt's Jason Pinnock hopes to have right answers at cornerback

Before Jason Pinnock started answering questions from reporters Wednesday afternoon, he glanced at his phone.

The news of the day from the NFL struck him like a bolt of lightning.

“Oooh, Jalen Ramsey,” Pinnock said, raising both eyebrows at Ramsey’s new five-year, $105 million contract from the Los Angeles Rams, the largest package in history for an NFL cornerback.

Later, Pinnock, who plays the position for Pitt, agreed with a reporter who said it’s good to be an NFL cornerback.

That’s a story for another day.

Pinnock is approaching an 11-game test, beginning Saturday against Austin Peay, to determine just how good the heralded Pitt defense can be.

Also in question: Can Pinnock and several of his teammates raise some other eyebrows, the ones belonging to NFL scouts?

But the biggest question of all: How much will Pitt’s defense feel the effects of cornerback Damarri Mathis’ season-ending injury and defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman’s opt-out?

Former Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel, now an analyst for the ACC Network, said there’s more to Pitt’s defense than two starters.

“Losing Jaylen Twyman does take a little firepower from that defensive line,” Manuel said Wednesday on a Zoom conference call with reporters. “But I can guarantee it’s not just about Jaylen. He’s an amazing talent. He’s going to be a first-rounder.

“It’s moreso the scheme and blitz packages that coach (Pat) Narduzzi implements for his defense to where they can get really scary and cause defensive touchdowns that their offense may not get.”

And that’s where Pinnock’s role in the defense becomes even more important.

Entering his senior season, Pinnock has three interceptions and 14 pass breakups in 33 games (nine starts). He said he doesn’t feel any additional pressure to compensate for the loss of Mathis, who lined up on the other side of the field.

“It’s the pressure I put on myself initially,” he said. “Even if I had Damarri on the other side, I’m a very vocal guy in our room regardless of who’s there and who’s not.

“I try to keep coaching the younger guys. I’m going to have to do it a bit more, but it’s something I’ve always been willing to accept.”

Pinnock acknowledges the loss of a potential first-round pick and an experienced, productive cornerback will change the look of the defense, but not the way it plays.

“It’s football. It’s next-man-up mentality,” Pinnock said. “I haven’t seen much change schematically.”

Even without Mathis, who was entering his fourth season as a contributing member of the secondary, Pitt’s starting defensive backs are seasoned properly.

Free safety Damar Hamlin has been with the team since 2016. Strong safety Paris Ford earned first-team All-ACC honors last season. Pinnock never redshirted, playing in 10 games as a freshman in 2017.

“That’s definitely going to make the games slow down for us,” he said. “We can play faster, make more plays and get turnovers and PBUs and interceptions.”

The issue at cornerback is the lack of experience among the reserves. Losing Mathis moves sophomore Marquis Williams into the starting lineup, backed up by sophomore AJ Woods and freshmen Rashad Battle and Jahvante Royal.

“They’re earning trust every day, grasping the playbook,” Pinnock said.

Just as important, they are playing the game the way Narduzzi demands.

“Within our defense, you have to have that edge, especially at corner,” Pinnock said. “You’re left on an island a lot.

“You have to know and believe that you’re the best. That’s what we’re seeing from them.”

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