Pitt Football: Most Intriguing Battles to Keep an Eye On
By Matt Shetler
As Paul Chryst is set to begin his first full camp as Pitt football head coach, there are several early battles worth keeping an eye on.
With a new coaching staff in place, almost every job can be won with a good performance in camp, but here’s a quick look at some of the most intriguing battle that should shape up as the Panthers open up camp today.
1. Running Back: This has all to do with the health of Ray Graham and how his injured knee will progress by the September 1 opener against Youngstown State. Behind him is sophomore Isaac Bennett, who looked great in spring practice; redshirt freshman Malcolm Crockett, who looked good during last camp; and stud freshman Rushel Shell.
2. Quarterback: All eyes will be on true freshman Chad Voytik as all that Chryst has in Tino Sunseri and Trey Anderson. Sunseri is the starter and I don’t give Voytik much chance at landing that job, but there’s a small chance he can enter the season as the backup as the real battle will likely be between Anderson and Voytik. But with both Sunseri and Anderson proving so far to be nothing more than mediocre at best, the kid may have an outside shot.
3. Offensive Tackle: The Panthers were coming in pretty weak at the tackle position and that just got weaker with Juantez Hollins suspended for the 2012 season due to a “violation of team policy.” Hollins played in 13 games last year and started in seven. This is the Panthers most pressing need and it looks as if anyone can steal the two tackle spots during camp. Only sophomore Matt Rotheram has any real game experience, so he should be a favorite to win one spot, while Senior Justin Virbitsky, junior Zenel Demhasaj and redshirt sophomore Tom Ricketts as well as incoming freshman Adam Bisnowaty could all battle for the other spot.
4. Cornerback: K’Waun Williams has a spot locked up on one side, but it will be a battle between Cullen Christian and Llyod Carrington for the other spot, with possibly Lafyette Pitts and maybe a couple freshman for the other spot.
5. Outside Linebacker: Depending on how Dan Mason makes it back from his devastating injury, we could be looking at Shane Gordon or Nick Grigsby take over in the middle, likely leaving sophomore Ejuan Price at one outside spot. Price showed some glimpses of being able to rush the passer so I’m fine with him there. The overall depth at linebacker isn’t great but there is an opportunity for someone to step up and surprise.
6. Defensive End: Brian Murphy should be a lock to start at one end, leaving the likes of T. J. Clemmings, Shane Hale and LaQuentin Smith to compete for the other job. Clemmings hasn’t yet lived up to the hype, but keep an eye on Smith, who has added 55 pounds of muscle since he was recruited back in 2010. He is young and has a ton of talent.
7. Safety: Jared Holley will start at one safety and there will be a battle for the other starting position. Jason Hendricks got a look last season but didn’t play consistent enough to lock up the job, so Andrew Taglianetti and Ray Vinopal getting will be competing for the job as well. The transfer Vinopal has talent and is an aggressive hard-hitting playmaker.