Stats aside, Pitt linebacker SirVocea Dennis approaches 2021 with unfinished business

SirVocea Dennis sounded offended when he was asked who among the Pitt defensive players has the best throwing arm.

“I say myself,” he said. “I can sling it, definitely. I love slinging it, too. I got a rocket.”

Dennis, a junior outside linebacker, was a high school quarterback at Christian Brothers (N.Y.) Academy. He also played basketball (when doctors wanted him to rest his torn Achilles) and lacrosse while earning a spot on the school’s National Honor Society.

But he’s moved on and found his football niche after two seasons at Pitt.

“My head is nothing but defense,” he said.

That can happen to a player when he shares the team lead with an All-American while ranking among the top 10 in the nation in TFLs (14½).

That was Dennis’ season in 2020. But even after matching defensive end Rashad Weaver for those potentially game-changing tackles for loss, he enters this season with unfinished business.

“It didn’t end the way I wanted it to,” he said.

Actually, he’s not wrong.

After recording three TFLs against Florida State to give him 13½ in the season’s first eight games, he missed Virginia Tech with an illness and recorded only half of a TFL in each of the final two games.

“I think I had a good season. I definitely want to capitalize off it this year,” he said. “Do better for myself. I definitely want to improve on my coverage skills. That’s something that I don’t think was too great last year. Make a bigger impact for the team.”

While forging a reputation as a playmaker last season, he started only two games while backing up starter Phil Campbell III on the outside (money position). Depth is similar at the other two spots.

“We have experienced guys all over. It’s nothing but competition,” Dennis said. “(Everyone’s) headstrong on everything we do.”

In the middle, Chase Pine and Wendell Davis bring starting experience while Cam Bright, the acknowledged big brother of the linebacker room, can’t sleep on backup John Petrishen at the other outside position (star).

Also gaining recognition through the early days of camp are sophomore linebackers Bangally Kamara, Solomon DeShields and Leslie Smith, who may help on special teams.

“How well you do in practice is going to determine who plays in the game,” said Davis, who started the first two games of 2020 before missing the remainder of the season with an injury.

“It’s healthy competition. It’s nothing to shy away from. We all have talent. That’s why we all are here.”

Is there enough time in a game to satisfy everyone? How will playing time be divided?

“You have to ask the man that question,” Davis said. “You try not to worry about that. You just try to worry about yourself and how well you can focus and perform. That’s all you can control.”

Dennis said he’s comfortable in whatever role coaches choose for him. But with his quickness and instincts at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, it will be difficult to keep him off the field. Plus, he appears to be one of those players who loves to be coached.

“That’s my guy,” he said of defensive coordinator Randy Bates.

Dennis started forming a bond with Bates when he attended the Peddie School, a prep school in New Jersey. Peddie coach Chris Malleo played linebacker at Northwestern, where Bates was his position coach.

“I know coming to Pitt it was like me having my high school coach all over again,” Dennis said. “He wants us to be great.”

Dennis also made a smooth transition this year after former linebackers coach Rob Harley, who held the job for six seasons, left to become defensive coordinator at Arkansas State and was replaced by Ryan Manalac.

“(Manalac) likes when we do bonehead things,” Dennis said, smiling. “Just so he can clean it up. He loves to coach.”

Dennis spent a lot of time with Manalac off the field this spring when an injury kept him out of drills. He declined to provide details of the injury, but he added, “just had to clean up some things after the season.”

He said he’s been fully recovered for the past two months.

“100%,” he said. “110%, if that’s a thing.”