Experienced linebackers strength of defense
The preseason curiosities about Pitt’s defense center around the front four and the back end. How will the Panthers replace consensus All-American edge rushers Patrick Jones and Rashad Weaver? Can Damar Hamlin’s experience be replicated? What about Jason Pinnock and Paris Ford’s production in the secondary?
Pitt’s linebackers, meanwhile, are sitting pretty, sandwiched by those questions.
This is the deepest linebacker group Pat Narduzzi has had in his seven years at Pitt. He said it himself this week, but it’s obvious when you look at who is returning. New position coach Ryan Manalac couldn’t have asked for a better room, with five options featuring starting experience. And given the situations in front of and behind them, there couldn’t have been a better time for the linebackers to provide so much promise.
“A few years ago, I remember looking out on that field, right underneath that clock,” Narduzzi said Tuesday at Pitt’s South Side facility, “and I was like, ‘Where is everybody? Where are they?’ We didn’t have anybody. So yeah, this is a deep group.”
“It’s going to be our responsibility. We lead the defense,” linebacker Wendell Davis added after Tuesday’s practice. “... We need to go out there, play our defense and
let everyone rally around us.”
In Davis’ eyes, a lot will fall on his shoulders. The redshirt junior is the projected starter at middle linebacker with Chase Pine fighting to take that job. Davis started the first two games of the 2020 season before an injury ended what he had hoped to be his breakout campaign. Pine filled in, starting the final nine contests and boosting his career total to 45 games played.
Flanking Davis or Pine will be two of a trio of aggressive, ball-hawking linebackers. Narduzzi said he feels like he really has three starters on the outside in Cam Bright, Phil Campbell and SirVocea Dennis, and it’s easy to see why.
Dennis technically started only two games last year despite getting firstteam snaps and earning third-team All-ACC honors. Then a sophomore, the 230pounder racked up 14.5 tackles for a loss, which ranked fifth nationally among linebackers.
Not to be overlooked, Campbell has been both reliable and productive. The super senior has 10 sacks to his name while starting the past 24 games at “Money” linebacker on the short side of the formation.
And then there’s Bright, who’s emerged as the group’s leader. Last year, Bright started all 11 games at Pitt’s “Star” outside linebacker spot, one that requires a bit more coverage skills. He’s created havoc in opposing backfields, as well, with 17.5 TFLs over the past two seasons, ranking second only to Jones.
Though it took time to learn from the likes of Quintin Wirginis and Oluwaseun Idowu, Bright now believes defensive coordinator Randy Bates’ “aggressive mindset” is tailormade to his game. Bright has asserted himself from a leadership standpoint, too.
“It feels like a long time coming,” Bright said last week. “It’s my fifth year, and I’ve been around for a while. ... I’m one of the go-to guys, and there’s no pressure behind it, either. I enjoy it. It’s a good role, a positive role. I like when the guys can look up to me in crunch time, in key situations.”
“Everyone rallies to Cam,” Dennis added. “He’s basically the big brother of the room, and we see him as that. He keeps us levelheaded. When stuff goes wrong or stuff goes great, he makes sure everyone’s in a good spot.”
Of course, “everyone” goes beyond the aforementioned five. Brandon George picked up valuable experience last season as a backup when Davis went down. John Petrishen is looking to stay healthy and make an impact in his seventh season of college ball. And Bangally Kamara and Solomon DeShields, a pair of 2020 signees, are “great athletes for the future,” Narduzzi said.
There’s confidence, too, in how Manalac is coaching the room. Manalac — Bucknell’s play-caller last year and a former Cincinnati linebacker under Narduzzi — was hired in January to replace Rob Harley, who left to become Arkansas State’s coordinator. Davis said when Manalac arrived, he brought with him a “ferocious attitude.”
“We have this saying: Point the thumb,” Davis explained. “As a ‘Mike’ linebacker, I’m the quarterback of the defense. If a Dend messes up on a play, that’s on me. I have to get him right. When I set it, I have to make sure everything’s right. He really teaches us about accountability. And he was a former player, so he knows what it’s like to be in our spot. It just brings everything together.”
Couple that with the group’s talent and experience, and there’s reason to think this could be one of the best linebacker corps in the ACC, if not the best.
At least that’s how those in the room see it.
“We have a lot of depth. We have a lot of young guys who have picked up the playbook. We have older guys all over. It’s nothing but competition,” Dennis said. “Everyone always says, iron sharpens iron. We pick everyone up, try to compete to the best of our ability and be headstrong with everything we do.”
“We all know what we’re doing, and we’re aggressive,” Bright added. “We feel like one of the best linebacker groups in the ACC.”