Pitt Panthers: 2015 Defensive Line Preview
Sep 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles wide reciever Dan Crimmins (18) attempts the catch and is hit by Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Ray Vinopal (9) during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Pitt won 30-20 over Boston College. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Time to learn but could end up on the field:
Redshirted as a true freshman after spending two years at Choate Rosemary Hall, a prep school in Connecticut, Dintino is a big kid, standing 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds. He could be a wrecking ball in the future.
- Zach Poker #48 – Oconomowoc High School – Sophomore
Poker found the field in six games last season. He missed the final half of the season due to a shoulder injury. He is tall at 6-foot-4 and can provide a punch at the line. He might be able to find the field again in 2015 if the circumstances are right.
- Michael Dunn #36 – Bishop Canevin – Sophomore
Dunn saw the field in the first game against Deleware in garbage time as the Panthers found themselves victorious 62-0 to start the season. I don’t see him running onto the field unless Pitt can find themselves in another lopsided game.
- Reggie Green #87 – Cranford High School – Sophomore
Green was only able to find the field once. He was limited in play thanks to a foot fracture. Unfortunately, I’m not certain he will find the field this season, either.
- Hez Trahan #90 – Roman Catholic High School – Freshman
Trahan redshirted in 2014 and has all years of eligibility remaining. He was one of Philadelphia’s most highly touted defensive prospects coming out of high school in 2013.
- Shane Roy #93 – Reading High School – Freshman
Roy redshirted as a true freshman in 2014. Roy may be the one in this pack to see the field the earliest and the most often. He is big at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds. He was one of Ohio’s top defensive prospects coming out of high school and that has the chance to translate more clearly later in his career.
Not listed is newcomer Dewayne Hendrix, a big time transfer from Tennessee, who has to sit out the season but will be eligible in 2016.
As you can tell, the depth is decent with talent to boot. It’s going to be difficult to replicate the days of Greg Romeus, Jabaal Sheard, and others but it is going to be a close representation of that era. It’s great because of the defensive minds on the sidelines that can develop the group to a higher level, something they have not been accustomed to in the past with Todd Graham and Paul Chryst. Simplicity in complexity will play a big part for the line.
I look for more pressure in the backfield and a faster group from the snap, all of which is conducive to creating turnovers at all levels of the defense. Head coach Pat Narduzzi and defensive coordinator Josh Conklin should be licking their chops with the big kids they have on the line.
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