With 'crazy season' looming, Pitt's Pat Narduzzi eager to talk football

The first question posed to Pat Narduzzi during his 30-minute Zoom call with reporters Friday had nothing to do with covid-19, masks or the tricky task of starting and finishing a season this year.

It was the first of many about players blocking and tackling, running and throwing and how Pitt’s team is progressing after two weeks of training camp.

“I love starting off with a football question,” Narduzzi said, sitting in his office overlooking the practice fields where some players were working on their own 45 minutes after the end of drills.

He especially liked talking about his team in general because expectations are high for a veteran squad that includes 37 juniors and seniors.

“We have a good football team,” he said. “We have to stay healthy. We have to keep them all together, keep them all on the same page.

“That’s the hardest thing to do right now.”

Narduzzi’s optimism is partially tied to his two defensive ends, Patrick Jones and Rashad Weaver, who appear to have NFL potential.

“I don’t think you have to play the game to know what you have when you have Patrick Jones on one end, Rashad Weaver (on the other),” he said.

He also pointed to increased depth at quarterback and on the offensive line and a group of running backs with potential.

“It’s going to be the chemistry and how we stick together and play as a team and approach this 2020 crazy season,” he said.

The first order of business after All-ACC defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman opted out Aug. 8 was to identify his replacement.

Sophomore Devin Danielson (Thomas Jefferson) “has the hold on that right now,” Narduzzi said. But with at least three weeks before the first game, three more sophomores — David Green (Central Catholic), Tyler Bentley and Calijah Kancey — are in the mix.

The offensive line is set with returning starters in three spots — All-ACC center Jimmy Morrissey, left guard Bryce Hargrove and left tackle Carter Warren.

On the right side, a collection of young, inexperienced players are competing at guard and tackle, including junior Carson Van Lynn, redshirt freshman Matt Goncalves and sophomore Blake Zubovic (Belle Vernon). Gabe Houy (Upper St. Clair) is recovering from shoulder surgery, and Narduzzi said coaches are “weaning him into it.”

Pitt hopes to have an improved running game this season, and a large group of backs are trying to earn playing time.

Senior A.J. Davis has been idled by an injury, but Narduzzi said he will be fine to start the season. The others are sophomores Vincent Davis and Daniel Carter, freshman Izzy Abanakanda and junior Todd Sibley. Narduzzi called Sibley “the best pass protector, by far.” Daniel Carter can swing between fullback and tailback.

Freshman wide receiver Jordan Addison will contribute early. He already is running with the first team as the slot receiver and could return kicks and punts with Abanakanda and Vincent Davis.

“People need to watch out for him,” Narduzzi said of Addison. “I think he’s a special kid.”

The returning pass catchers are Taysir Mack, Shocky Jacques-Louis and Jared Wayne.

Narduzzi also revealed two position switches. John Petrishen (Central Catholic) has moved from safety to outside linebacker, and Judson Tallandier is going from cornerback to safety.

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