NCAAF Team Report – Pittsburgh – INSIDE SLANT
Much of the emphasis on Paul Chryst’s first full recruiting effort at Pitt was in the trenches. The offensive line took a hit from graduation and the defensive line has struggled with depth. Shoring up these areas is crucial as Pitt heads into the ACC.
There is no question the offensive line needs some reconstruction. Dorian Johnson (Belle Vernon, PA/Belle Vernon Area) is a five-star gem who de-committed to Penn State following NCAA sanctions. Others on the O-line include Aaron Reese (Fayetteville, PA/Chambersburg Area), Alex Officer (Rochester, NY/Eastridge), Carson Baker (Fairborn, OH/Fairborn) and Jaryd Jones-Smith (Vorhees, NJ/West Catholic, PA).
“(Johnson) will get an opportunity, absolutely,” said Chryst when asked if Johnson can play right away. “His high school film is as good as you will see from an offensive lineman.”
Chryst likes tight ends that catch the ball and can be part of punishing offense. He has one in J.P. Holtz, who made a mark as a freshman last season, and the Panthers signed three more. Scott Orndorf (Waynesburg, PA/Seton-LaSalle) is the lone early enrollee of the trio. Others at the position are Devon Edwards (Reynoldsburg, OH/Eastmoor Academy) and Tony Harper (Toledo, OH/St. John’s Jesuit).
Two defensive linemen are early enrollees eligible for spring practice. Pittsburgh City League standout Tyrique Jarrett is a local prouduct (Taylor Allderdice) who played in prep school last season at Milford Academy (NY). The other is Shakir Soto (Wilkes-Barre, PA/G.A.R. Memorial). The others are Justin Moody (Philadelphia, George Washington), Luke Mclean (Grand Blanc, MI/Grand Blanc), who could eventually find himself at linebacker, and Jeremiah Teleni (Kailua, HI/Kailua).
“Tyrique is a guy I am anxious to have in the spring and see if he can’t have impact sooner or later,” said Chryst.
Both lines boast great size with the 6-foot-4, 290-pounds Officer on the small side.
“One of the things we wanted to do this year is we wanted to get bigger,” said Chryst. “The only way to get bigger is to recruit bigger.”
TOP OF THE CLASS
OL Dorian Johnson (Belle Vernon, PA/Belle Vernon Area) — Listed as high as the No. 2 offensive tackle in country, the 6-foot-6, 285-pounder has outstanding footwork and the frame to add more muscle mass. He committed to the Panthers in November after nixing Penn State following the NCAA sanctions in State College.
QB Tra’Von Chapman (Kent, OH/Theodore Roosevelt) — The Ohio schoolboy sensation is ranked as high as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the state. Though solid at 6-2, 200 he is sure to get bigger as he competes for the No. 1 job with Chad Voytik and Tom Savage.
TE Scott Orndorf (Waynesburg, PA/Seton-LaSalle) — Rated as one of the top 20 tight ends in the country by multiple services, Orndorf projects to be the big (6-5, 245) pass-catching tight end that fits the mentality Chryst desires to invoke at Pitt.
WR Tyler Boyd (Clairton, PA/Clairton) — Chryst needed to address this position because Devin Street is the only returning receiver among last season’s top four pass catchers and he will be a senior. Boyd, who was a running back the last two seasons, scored 117 touchdowns in his career and Clairton went 48-0 in his three years as a starter.
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NCAAF Team Report – Pittsburgh – NOTES, QUOTES
–Chryst has yet to name a defensive coordinator. David Huxtable left for North Carolina State in mid-December to assume the same position. Secondary coach Matt House essentially served in that role for the Panthers during preparations for the BBVA Compass, but the new DC will likely come from outside the program.
–The clincher for Jaryd Jones-Smith coming to Pitt was when he learned about the program’s academic policy during a December visit. “He was so excited to talk to us about,” his mother told the Philadelphia Inquirer. Jones-Smith’s father lost his battle with brain tumors three days before Christmas.
–With 27 signees, Pitt had its biggest class since 1998. Three of them enrolled early. Multiple services rate the class in the top 20.
–The Panthers signed three players from Clairton (PA) High School: WR Tyler Boyd and DBs Titus Howard and Terrish Webb. They waited until close to the eleventh hour to confirm Pitt was where they were going. “We were sitting around all night talking and trying to weigh the pros and cons of each school and really didn’t have a decision until after midnight,” Boyd said at a news conference. “It just came down to playing together. We couldn’t pass that up.”
SPRING SNAPSHOT
Practice priorities: With so many holes on both lines the spring will be the first chance for the Panthers to start rebuilding. It is a plus that two early enrollees on the defensive line will get their feet wet and presumably be ahead of the game come fall practice.
The issue that is most on the minds of Pitt fans is who will be the starting quarterback against Villanova in the season opener. Pitt is senior Tom Savage’s third program, though he has not thrown a pass since 2010 when he was with Rutgers. Chad Voytik, a top recruit last year, will be given every chance to win the spot after not throwing a pass as a freshman last season. Trey Anderson, who will be a junior, is behind Savage and Voytik. With so much uncertainty it is easy to see how Chapman, an early enrollee, could eventually get the nod if he grasps the system in the spring and carries any momentum into the fall.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The greatest thing about today is that you’re adding players to your team and there is nothing more important than the team.” — Coach Paul Chryst.
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NCAAF Team Report – Pittsburgh – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
KEY LOSSES: QB Tino Sunseri, RB Ray Graham, WR Mike Shanahan, OL Chris Jacobson, OL Kyle Turnley, DB Jarred Holley
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2013:
QB Chad Voytik — One way or the other he will be a topic of conversation. Starting with spring drills the Tennessee high school sensation gets his big chance to shine in his second year on campus.
RB Rushel Shell — The job is his with the departure of Ray Graham. Shell got a head start when a hamstring injury sidelined Graham for the bowl game. Shell ran for 79 yards on 25 carries (3.2 avg) to complete a freshman season in which he ran for 641 yards (4.5 avg) and four touchdowns.
TE J.P. Holtz — He played in every game as a freshman and caught 13 passes, including three for touchdowns. With receiver Mike Shanahan’s eligibility expired and junior Devin Street keeping an eye on the NFL, Holtz could be a very valuable pair of hands for the new quarterback(s).
DL Aaron Donald — The junior missed one game with a knee injury, but did not miss a beat when he was on the field. Donald led the Big East with 18.5 tackles for loss and recorded 5.5 sacks. His effort resulted in being named All-Big East First Team. He will need to have another bog year because the line is otherwise pretty thin.
LB Todd Thomas — Injuries cost him three games, but Thomas still finished fourth on the team with 59 tackles and was second in tackles per game. He will be a junior next season and will be looked upon to be a key cog on defense while leading the LB unit along with Shane Gordon.
PLAYER NOTES
–WR Devin Street and DB/KR Lafayette Pitts were ordered to perform 40 and 20 hours of community service, respectively, for their role in a November incident. Ray Graham was also ordered to 20 hours of service. Each was charged with one count of simple assault and one count of criminal conspiracy. They will appear in court in April for a progress update.
–With the emergence of Rushel Shell as the backup to Graham, Isaac Bennett was all but forgotten. He carried the ball only 29 times (141 yards, 3 TDs) last season and had no attempts in the BBVA Compass Bowl against Ole Miss with Graham sidelined. With Graham out with a torn ACL and missing the final five games of 2011, Bennett stepped in and carried the ball 58 times.
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