Pitt has gone through an incredible amount of turnover at the HC spot over the past few seasons. Considering this, the relatively strong play from this team is fairly remarkable. Although the finished last season 6-7, they were definitely better than that. Now that Paul Chryst comes in to take over, the team will need to learn yet another new system, but if he has the success many think he will, he could be at Pitt for a long time.
As of this writing, it appears that SR QB Tino Sunseri will be the signal caller for the Panthers this season, but with a new HC that could change, especially considering how high Chryst is on FR Chad Voytik. But if it is Suneri under center, then he will need to get more focused on offense for this team to improve over last year. Although he completed a nice percentage of his passes last year (64%) he also threw 11 picks to his 10 TDs. He will have to get better a his decision making. He does have some weapons around him though that could help him with that. SR Ray Graham at RB is one of the most electric players in the nation. He is quick, and can cut on a dime. If he can hold up from injuries this season, he could be one of the better backs in the land. At WR, JR Devin Street is coming off a good SO campaign. His continued improvement, along with the reliable hands of SR Mike Shanahan will make for a nice pair for Sunseri to target. Up front, SR OG Chris Jacobson was granted a 6th year of eligibility after missing almost all of last year due to injury. He will need to be a leader up front, as the other guys are good but not great.
On the defensive side of the ball, the front four and back four are both strengths for this team. Up front, JR Aaron Donaldson proved he can get after the QB, recording 11 sacks and 11 QB hurries in only 5 starts last year. He is poised for a breakout year this season. The other young guys, SO DE TJ Clemmings and SO DT Khaynin Mosley-Smith are also very talented and could be in line to emerge as play makers. The linebackers are inexperienced but athletic. At this point none of these guys stands out as a typical Pittsburgh play maker at the position, but it does not mean that one or more of these youngsters cannot emerge throughout the year. The secondary has some real talent lined up this year too. JR CB K'Waun Williams has NFL talent, and after a really solid season a year ago, he could be in line for an All American type of year. SR S Jarred Holley has been an outstanding contributor for the last three years, and now he is positioned for another very strong season. The Williams-Holley combination will make for some unhappy QBs in the Big East.
Learning a new system is never an easy thing, and for this Panthers team, it has become an all too regular situation. They have talent in a lot of places, and I expect them to win some games this season, but it will be hard for them to push for a conference title in this final season of Big East play.
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