SirVocea Dennis aging well as a young Pitt linebacker

Perhaps you’ve heard about Pitt’s starting linebackers Wendell Davis, Cam Bright and Phil Campbell III: Athletic players who bring the necessary elements of speed and athleticism to the three positions.

But linebackers coach Rob Harley will tell you — without even being asked — there is competition every day at practice and the depth chart is an ever-changing thing.

Backups include:

• Chase Pine, a senior, who provides experienced depth in the middle behind Davis.

• John Petrishen, a highly regarded recruit from Central Catholic, who went to Penn State to play safety and transferred to Pitt last year. He spells Bright at star (outside) linebacker.

• Then, there’s SirVocea Dennis, a former high school quarterback who had three tackles Saturday against Austin Peay as a member of the third-down unit and a backup to Campbell at money linebacker.

Dennis might be the only collegiate linebacker named after a cognac that, when properly aged, can sell for as much as $3,044.99 a bottle and was served to French dignitaries at the opening of the Eiffel Tower in 1889.

How’d that happen?

“I get this question a lot,” said Dennis, who’s happy to tell the story.

“My dad and my grandfather were at a nice restaurant at dinner,” Dennis said, “and the waitress asked them if they wanted to try their signature drink that night, which had courvoisier in it.

“My dad kind of liked the name. ‘Ooh, I like that. I’m going to name my son SirVocea.’ ”

Dennis’ journey to Pitt is equally interesting, but in a non-alcoholic sense.

He attended Christian Brothers Academy, a school of fewer than 1,000 students in suburban Syracuse, N.Y. He was a scrambling quarterback there, and he’s not shy about telling you, “They called me Houdini because I made some crazy plays.”

Four games into his senior season, he tore an Achilles tendon, was laid up for several months and ended up defying doctor’s orders.

“I even played basketball my senior year, and I wasn’t supposed to,” he said.

Without enough videotape to entice recruiters, Dennis graduated and moved on to The Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J.

“I think prep was a good route for me,” he said. “Prep helped me a lot, developing my body, developing my mind and knowing the game of football more. I appreciate my time at prep.”

He verbally committed to the Air Force Academy. But when Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi showed up at Peddie one day in 2019 and offered a scholarship, Dennis flipped to the Panthers four days before signing day.

Rivals.com gave him only two stars, most of his offers were from FCS schools, but Pitt liked his athleticism and intelligence. He pumped up from 190 to 230 pounds on a 6-foot-1 frame, and he’s already making an impact as a 20-year-old sophomore.

“I’ve been really impressed with his growth from Year 1 to Year 2,” Harley said.

“He’s a really intelligent player. He’s a post-grad, a year older than most of our freshmen last year. He has a little bit older mind. He can understand those things when we’re trying to scheme up some people.”

Harley said Dennis’ speed and ability to change direction is an asset on third down when anything can happen.

“And he’s worked really hard at it,” he said.

As a former scrambling quarterback, Dennis said, “I know how to get under their skin a little.”

Yet, he remains humble, realizing the Achilles injury could have ended his career before it started.

“My senior year, I didn’t think I’d be playing at this level,” he said. “I didn’t even think I’d be playing football again, for real. Just to be here, I’m very excited.”

He missed last year’s Syracuse game because of an injury, and he’s eager to compete against the hometown team Saturday at Heinz Field.

“My mom (Corliss) is a very big Syracuse fan,” he said, “so that’s passed on to me as well.”

The Orange never attempted to recruit him, but he holds no grudges.

“Not really,” he said. “I play every game the same, no matter who I go against.”

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