Pitt’s true freshmen providing a boost in all 3 phases

When the dust settled around Pitt’s 2025 recruiting class and 22 true freshmen prepared to join the Panthers’ program, coach Pat Narduzzi had reason to be pleased with the reinforcements he was bringing in from the high school ranks.

Whether Narduzzi could have foreseen just how significant the contributions he’d get from some of those players in their first collegiate campaign, however, is another story.

Now two-thirds of the way through the season, the impact of true freshmen has been visible on offense, defense and special teams.

Not bad for a class that only had one four-star prospect (per 247Sports), in safety Josh Guerrier.

“I think it’s recruiting evaluation,” Narduzzi said. “I think it’s development and getting the best out of our kids. I think that’s what football is all about. That’s what we do as coaches. Our job is to take the players we get and make them better players and make them productive on the field. So far it’s been good.”

Quarterback Mason Heintschel has proven to be the most impressive example of Pitt’s recruiting evaluation, as Narduzzi put it.

Through four starts since taking over for Eli Holstein, the 18-year-old Heintschel has completed 65.1% (95 of 146) of his passes for 1,243 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

No single player has proven more of an architect in the Panthers’ turnaround than Heintschel, who, aside from Pitt (6-2, 4-1 ACC), commanded no Power Four offers coming out of Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio.

Tailback Ja’Kyrian Turner, who had a somewhat modest recruitment (but still more high-profile than Heintschel’s) and attracted Power Four offers from Nebraska, Wake Forest and West Virginia in addition to the Panthers, has been another prominent example.

While he navigated an injury to start the year, Turner’s role has increased over the past few weeks.

Heading into Pitt’s matchup at Stanford on Saturday, he leads his position group in net yards (272) and touchdowns (six), while averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

The list goes on. Guerrier has proved a valuable depth piece at safety, while cornerback Shawn Lee has also factored in heavily, plugging holes when injuries to Rashad Battle and Tamon Lynum left his room thin.

“It’s a great recruiting class,” Narduzzi said. “I think we got another great one coming in this year, as well. But guys getting opportunities and making plays — we’re blessed to have those young guys playing for us.”

Behind Heintschel, perhaps no true freshman has played a bigger role than kicker Trey Butkowski.

Christopher Horner | TribLive

Pitt kicker Trey Butkowski kicks a field goal out of the hold of punter Caleb Junko against Louisville on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.

A walk-on who unexpectedly earned the starting gig late in fall camp, Butkowski leads the ACC in field goal attempts (21) and makes (19), with a 90.5% conversion rate through eight contests.

Butkowski’s leg was critical in Pitt’s 34-31 road win over Florida State on Oct. 11, as he made two field goals in the fourth quarter before drilling three at Syracuse the following weekend.

Most recently, Butkowski hit four of five tries against N.C. State. His miss from 48 yards in the fourth quarter was his first since Sept. 13 at West Virginia and snapped a program-record 16 straight makes.

By no means has it been exclusively youngsters putting on a show for Pitt this season.

Most position groups on both sides of the ball feature the heavy presence of veterans, such as wide receiver, offensive and defensive line, and linebacker.

But older players at those positions and in general have made it a point to bring along their younger teammates.

As the Panthers navigate injuries and other scenarios that make it necessary to turn to young guys, those efforts have been impactful.

“That’s just been something that our older guys have been preaching: just stay ready,” redshirt freshman linebacker Cameron Lindsey said. “(They’re) keeping us young guys on our toes to make sure that we’re giving the same amount of effort as the starters and older vets. You’re only as good as the last person on the depth chart.”