Narduzzi backs off RB as ’21 starter
Davis declared No. 1 back but camp alters call
On the first day of spring camp, Pat Narduzzi declared Vincent Davis as Pitt’s starting running back. It was a curious move from a head coach who preaches competition at every position. Davis is a part of a crowded backfield, but Narduzzi felt comfortable with the junior who tallied more carries in 2020 than Pitt’s four other options combined.
On Tuesday, though, Narduzzi borrowed the phrase popularized by ESPN’s “College GameDay” legend Lee Corso: “Not so fast.”
As things before the BlueGold spring game Saturday, Davis’ job is far from secure. Narduzzi said sophomore Israel Abanikanda is pushing Davis for first-team snaps after putting together an impressive spring camp.
“Who’d I say was the starting tailback at the beginning of spring? Vince Davis, right? Eh, not so fast. I shouldn’t say stuff like that. You sit there and declare something, and all of a sudden Izzy is coming on,” Narduzzi said.
“Vince is still a good back. But Izzy Abanikanda is getting after it. We’re happy with where he is. There’s a battle going on.”
Narduzzi added that maybe declaring Davis as Pitt’s No. 1 option “lit a fire” under Abanikanda. Whatever it was that propelled him to new heights doesn’t really matter. What matters is that Narduzzi and his staff have another position battle on their hands — which at this stage of the offseason is a good problem to have.
Frankly, it would have been concerning if no one gave Davis a run for his money. The 5-foot-8, 175pound ballcarrier wasn’t overly prolific with his teamleading 143 carries last season, averaging 4.42 yards per attempt — 13th in the ACC among those with at least 120 carries.
Davis’ numbers were boosted, too, by a breakout finale at Georgia Tech in which he racked up 247 yards on 25 carries.
Davis deserves credit for that performance. And it should be noted that his 3.26 yards per attempt tally excluding the Georgia Tech game isn’t squarely on him. Pitt’s offensive line was OK in pass protection but poor in opening up running lanes in 2020.
According to Football Outsiders, Pitt’s opportunity rate (the percentage of carries that gain at least 4 yards when 4 yards are available) and power success rate (percentage of runs on third or fourth down, 2 yards or less to go, that achieve a first down or touchdown) ranked 96th and 92nd, respectively, in Football Bowl Subdivision. So it’s not as if Davis had Mark May, Jimbo Covert and Russ Grimm moving bodies ahead of him.
Regardless, Davis will still be a significant part of Pitt’s offense next fall. The backs behind him on the depth chart — A.J. Davis, Daniel Carter and Todd Sibley — have made strides in camp, too. Narduzzi pointed out that this spring is “the best A.J. has looked since he’s gotten” to Pitt.
But the real buzz is around Abanikanda, who appears ready for a larger role after recording 28 carries for 95 yards in seven games last season.
“We knew he could always run,” Narduzzi said, later referencing Abanikanda’s 70yard touchdown run in Pitt’s third and final spring practice last March. “The thing about Izzy is, he’s picked up the pass protections. He’s gotten more mature that way. He’s understanding you can’t just carry the ball and score touchdowns. You have to be able to protect our quarterback, and he’s done that a lot better than he did a year ago.
“He’s big, he’s fast, he’s physical and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s got some patience and some great vision.”
Sounds like someone to keep an eye on at the spring game.