25 | 2023 SOUTHERN FOOTBALL GUIDE
PITTSBURGH
HEAD COACH: Pat Narduzzi OC: Frank Cignetti Jr. DC: Randy Bates
Pittsburgh, PA
2022 RECORD: 9-4 (5-3) FOUNDED: 1787 STADIUM: Heinz Field (68,400)
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
Arguably, Pittsburgh has become the second-best program in the ACC behind Clemson. Albeit, far behind Clemson, but nevertheless, there are no other programs that have Pitt’s accomplishments over the past two seasons. Pitt must continue that trend with yet another new quarterback. Out with Kedon Slovis and in with Phil Jurkovec from Boston College. The veteran passer should enjoy his time behind the Panthers’ offensive line led by Matt Goncalves, Jake Kradel and Blake Zubovic. The receiving corps has some growing up to do, but picking up Florida’s Daejon Reynolds is a boost. He’ll join Konanta Mumpfield and Bub Means as holdovers. Mumpfield had 58 catches, but wasn’t a downfield threat. The running game is in good hands with Rodney Hammond Jr., C’Bo Flemister and LSU transfer Derrick Davis Jr.
The defense must replace four outstanding stalwarts who propelled the Panthers to 46 or more sacks in each of the last four years. Ends Dayon Hayes, Nahki Johnson and Bam Brima must create pressure to give teammates behind them opportunities to make plays. The trio of linebackers must replace the tremendous production from SirVocea Dennis, which is a tall task. Bengally Kamara is the most athletic and can make plays all over the field. The Panthers would love to see him create plays behind the line more often. This defensive system calls for pressure upfront, leaving the corners on islands to sink or swim. M.J. Devonshire thrives in this system and is an outstanding playmaker. Marquis Williams is solid and getting even better. Safety Donovan McMillon will join P.J. O’Brien and Javon McIntyre to form a nice group of safeties.
DEPTH CHART
DEPTH CHART
NO PLAYER POS HT WT CLASS NO 5 Phil Jurkovec QB 6-5 235 SR 50 6 Rodney Hammond Jr. RB 5-9 195 JR 95 15 Bub Means WR 6-2 215 SR 2 81 Daejon Reynolds WR 6-2 210 SO 4 9 Konata Mumpfield WR 6-1 180 JR 23 86 Gavin Bartholomew TE 6-5 250 JR 32 78 Branson Taylor LT 6-5 330 JR 11 61 Ryan Jacoby LG 6-4 305 SR 12 53 Jake Kradel C 6-3 310 SR 14 68 Blake Zubovic RG 6-4 330 SR 22 76 Matt Goncalves RT 6-6 330 SR 20 11 Christian Veilleux QB 6-4 225 SO 57 24 C’Bo Flemister RB 5-11 205 SR 90 27 Israel Polk WR 6-1 175 FR 92 83 Lamar Seymore WR 6-1 185 FR 16 40 Addison Copeland III WR 6-2 180 FR 47 8 Karter Johnson TE 6-2 250 SR 30 70 Ryan Baer LT 6-7 330 FR 38 51 Dorien Ford LG 6-4 325 SO 18 55 BJ Williams C 6-3 320 FR 9 74 Terrence Enos Jr. RG 6-4 315 SO 3 50 Jason Collier Jr. RT 6-6 330 SR 37 90 95
Ben Sauls Caleb Junko
SPECIAL TEAMS K P
5-10 6-1
185 210
JR SO
2023 SCHEDULE S.2 .............................. Wofford
O.21 ............. at Wake Forest
S.9 ..........................Cincinnati
O.28 .............at Notre Dame
S.16 .............at West Virginia
N.4 .................... Florida State
S.23 ..............North Carolina
N.11 ......... Syracuse (Bronx)
S.30 ............. at Virginia Tech
N.16 ............Boston College
O.14 ........................Louisville
N.25 ...........................at Duke
24 12
PLAYER POS Dayon Hayes DE Devin Danielson DT David Green DT Nahki Johnson DE Solomon DeShields LB Shayne Simon LB Bangally Kamara LB M.J. Devonshire CB Marquis Williams CB P.J. O’Brien S Javon McIntyre S
HT 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-11 5-9 6-0 6-0
WT 265 290 290 260 225 235 225 185 175 180 195
CLASS SR SR SR SO JR SR SR SR SR JR SO
Bam Brima DE Deandre Jules DT Tyler Bentley DT Nate Temple DE Aydin Henningham LB Brandon George LB Kyle Louis LB Ryland Gandy CB A.J. Woods CB Donovan McMillon S Stephon Hall S
6-5 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-1
270 305 300 250 225 240 220 185 190 210 195
SR SR SR SR JR SR FR FR SR JR SO
205 185
SR SR
SPECIAL TEAMS
C’Bo Flemister M.J. Devonshire
KR PR
5-11 5-11
NEWCOMERS Phil Jurkovec, QB — It’s difficult to omit a starting quarterback as a key newcomer. Jurkovec began his career at Notre Dame and will soon have starting experience at three different schools. Christian Veilleux, QB — The transfer from Penn State is probably not the quarterback of the present, but he’s certainly the QB of the future. Braylan Lovelace, LB — The freshman won’t be thrown to the wolves immediately, but the Panthers will be looking for help at linebacker and Lovelace will eventually be a star.
