Panthers add big piece
Makes immediate call to transfer to Pitt after Terrapins’ upheavals
Maryland transfer gives Pitt offensive line another building block.
Marcus Minor had three head coaches, three offensive coordinators and three playbooks in four years at Maryland. So when the offensive lineman entered the transfer portal in December, he was looking for a program that could offer opportunity and familiarity.
On Dec. 13, the day after Maryland’s 2020 season ended, Minor called his two-time teammate, former Pitt wide receiver DJ Turner. Minor and Turner were a grade apart at DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland and played together with the Terrapins for three seasons before Turner left College Park for Oakland.
“After having the conversation with DJ, he enjoyed his process here, coming over and transferring to Pitt,” Minor said recently over Zoom. “It gave me a thought that this might be a new home for me.”
Eleven days after that talk with Turner, Minor committed to Pitt on Christmas Eve. He officially signed on Dec. 29 and enrolled in January classes. Now, the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder is navigating winter workouts with an eye on a starting spot in the fall.
Minor, who has two years of immediate eligibility, will begin his Pitt career at guard, as expected. At Maryland, he started 10 games at right tackle in 2019 and was limited to three games at right guard last year due to injury. He also has practiced at center in the past, offering versatility across the line.
But Owen Drexel, a longtime backup to All-ACC center Jimmy Morrissey, is expected to succeed him in the middle. Tackle should be accounted for between Matt Goncalves, Carter Warren, Carson Van Lynn and Gabe Houy. Guard, though, is a spot of need for the Panthers in 2021 after 27-game starter Bryce Hargrove departed for the NFL.
Hargrove started every game on the left side lin 2020. Jake Kradel manned the right guard position in eight of 11 games, missing only due to injury and COVID-19 protocols. Should Kradel remain at right guard, Minor would compete with Belle Vernon native Blake Zubovic for time on the left side. There’s also a chance Goncalves, listed as Hargrove’s backup last year, steps in at guard. But he might be more useful at tackle.
There’s a lot of time between now and Pitt’s season opener Sept. 4 against Massachusetts. The Panthers still have spring practice, voluntary summer workouts and, most important, fall camp to decide Dave Borbely’s starting five. Even then, the offensive line coach’s preference could change midseason.
But in the meantime, Minor is comfortable at Pitt. Not too comfortable, like he was at Maryland. But enough to get acclimated on the South Side.
“What I’m enjoying the most is coming to a program where I’m able to jump in and become one of the guys, being able to talk to Owen or Carter or Gabe or any of the O-linemen. They brought me into the family. That’s been the most enjoyable part of the process,” Minor said. “It was easy growing into the O-line room.”
Minor’s adjustment is undoubtedly eased by his longstanding relationship with Borbely. Pitt’s offensive line coach was on Maryland’s staff in 2016 and 2017 and recruited Minor out of DeMatha Catholic. Minor, the No. 220 overall prospect in the 2017 cycle per 247 Sports, had offers from 26 programs, including Auburn, Florida, Miami and Penn State.
Minor picked Maryland, though, aided by his bond with Borbely and propelled by his desire to stay close to home. Minor’s parents are older, he said, and playing within a 10-minute drive of his high school was appealing.
Four-and-a-half years after committing to the Terrapins, Minor decided he needed a new challenge.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree, Minor still is pushing himself academically, enrolling in Pitt’s Katz Graduate School of Business. That drive was never absent. But on the field, Minor believes he’s destined for more than what he accomplished at Maryland.
Landing in the NFL is the “endall, be-all” in football for Minor. The self-described “ambitious” goal-seeker also aspires to be an all-conference lineman. And he feels his best shot at doing that is at Pitt.
“I wasn’t paying attention to the long run that was actually helping my football goals at the time,” Minor said of choosing Maryland over the Panthers in high school. “But I do know everything happens for a reason, and that’s why I’m here now. And I’m ready to make big steps to go forward with that.”