Seems it is now official… MacVitte saw the handwriting on the wall. This comes as absolutely no surprise folks. I wrote that this would happen as early as last year as soon as Max Brown was brought in, but we all knew he that sooner or later he was just going to have to go somewhere else to get playing time.

From the Post-Gazette:

As Pitt keeps trying to put the full-court press on prospective recruits, attrition  continues for the current Panthers.

Monday, Jordan Whitehead declared for the NFL draft, and Tuesday, quarterback Thomas MacVittie tweeted that he will find a new program.

“I will be transferring in January after having completed my redshirt freshman year,” MacVittie wrote. “I’m excited to continue my journey and looking forward to the next three years of this great game.”

It was evident from his landing on campus that the expectations for this young man were way too high given his physical talents.  Good luck and have fun playing the game in a better situation.

We’ll  see some more transfers before fall camp guys, some may be unexpected.

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

127 thoughts on “QB Thomas MacVittie is Transferring Out”

  1. No big surprise since he was passed over by a freshman.
    All we can do is wish him success wherever he goes.

    Wonder who else will leave.

    Hopefully Narduzzi finishes strong on this year’s recruits, still lots of need for better players at many positions.

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      1. Reed- regarding surprises, do you say that because there are usually a surprise or two, or are you aware of specific ones? I’m not asking you to reveal any names, just wondering if you have inside scoop you can’t share now.

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  2. MacVittie should of been given a shot in actual games over Dinucci. The love affair of Dinucci was ridiculous. A village idiot could see he wasn’t taking the program forward. He is a great high school football qb with no part of his game relating to D1 Game. Pickett and MacVittie deserved better. Good Luck Young Man.

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  3. UPitt, I’ll disagree. As much as I think DiNucci isn’t a D1 QB he still had more talent than MacVittie.

    Honestly that 2 minute phone call from LSU asking MacVittie’s father if his kid would fly down for a visit (not a scholarship offer but a ‘visit ‘ mind you) really ratcheted up Pitt fan’s expectations about this kid.

    Again, I refer back to that long practice I was able to watch during spring practices last year when I could watch all four quarterbacks play for 60 minutes and practice 7 on 7s and 11 on 11s it was very evident that he had the least of the talents of the players on the roster except for maybe the walk-on quarterback we had.

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    1. I don’t disagree Reed. I just think you give a kid a shot you know.

      Logical Option is Kenny plays over all the QB’s.

      Max wasn’t good enough to be a Peterman.

      Dinucci Blah.

      So instead of going to Kenny when Max went down I think you give MacVittie a shot at least.

      Water over the dam now.

      You and anyone with a brain saw that Pickett was the best physically and mentally prepared QB to start. Narduzzi had to promise Max the starting role to get him. Makes me doubt Watson and Narduzzi’s talent gauge.

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    2. Thomas MacVittie was recruited by Jim Chaney. Chaney also brought Nathan Peterman to Pitt. Peterman had redshirted when Chaney was in his final year at Tennessee. So Chaney apparently missed badly on MacVittie and clearly recognized Peterman’s talent?

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  4. Other than Peterman I’m not too impressed with the transfers Narduzzi’s brought in, but do see the need to have done so his first three years. Now he has “his own kids” playing and we’ll see what that does.

    I think we’ll see a better defense, poorer offense and a middling W/L record in the future.

    The POV’s been pretty spot on with QB issues though, eh?

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  6. Keep an eye on these names; Ollison , Flowers, Pugh, McKee, Williams and some others.

    It isn’t paradise over on the Southside right now. Some are discontent over PT; others just want to be somewhere else. Rumblings about players not all that happy with staff coaches and Coordinators…some players may just be dismissed in the future. We’ll see, but expect more movement then a regular off season.

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      1. Perhaps I am not understanding your intention regarding Ollison, but he redshirted. He may be on track for graduating.

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    2. I about Pugh. How does Narduzzi switch this fast lightweight to DE?

      “Yeah kid, take a couple years to put on 40 lbs then we’ll see where you are….”
      And we need fast linebackers…. stupid…

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    3. Three of those players would be doing Pitt a favor if they transferred. Ollison has found a new role and looked good in it. Narduzzi inherited some mess from Chryst with these unhappy players.

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  7. Really a shame about all the discontent. Reed it was clear there was a locker room problem all year I feel it held the team back. You mentioned several times friction between players and coaches may be present. Pugh is surprising to me that he hasn’t played it goes back to what you’ve said all year some times the best players don’t play. Hope some of these problems are weeded out.

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  8. Those players may not leave of course, just that I’m keeping an eye on them.

    Look, lots of stuff goes on in a losing season and winning one big game at the end of the season is great for us fans but doesn’t cure all ills.

    There are always transfers but Henderson was unexpected especially after a down season and Whitehead really should have stayed as he had multiple discipline problems and a not so great year also.

    As far as football goes they would have been better served staying.

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    1. Reed, i’m Hearing that Whitehead and Henderson couldn’t wait to get out of town. I sense some really big issues with this staff. I don’t think they are all on the same page.

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  10. maybe MscVittie will stay now … but probably not.

    DiNucci can’t possibly think he is demand unless he goes to a lower school where he will get a lot of PT … can’t blame him

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  12. If we, you and I, don’t know the whole story. Somethings don’t make much sense at times. Like this one.. Dinucci leaving. I will say the kid took a beating on social media.

    Hope Narduzzi has an ace in his pocket because all PITT has left is slim Picketts to fall back on.. ike

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    1. Stull and Sunseri were torn apart by the fans (and media) and didn’t transfer Ike.

      DiNucci was an injury or poor play on Pickett’s part from being the starter again at a Power 5 school. He left for other reasons I believe.

      Not a lot of happy campers in the clubhouse after this last season.

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      1. Stull endured more trashing than anyone at Pitt not named Sunseri. And to his credit, he came back after his junior year and had a nice senior year. I was really happy for him. And I believe he benfitted greatly from working with Cignetti vs Cavanaugh.

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  14. Reed – are you inferring mistreatment of players by the coaches, “bad character apples” on the team or some of both?

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  15. PITT has to have a QB grad transfer on speed dial. Hopefully with no promises of playing time. Until I know the whole story, which I may never know, I’ll try and refrain from passing judgement. I will say this though. There are still 70 some young men on the PITT football team that want to play for PITT and Narduzzi. I’ll stand behind these winners.

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  17. QB is the one position where, barring injury, the back-up sees no action except for mop-up. It’s not unusual in any other position for the back-up to get to play at least a handful of plays a game.

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  18. Macvittie is more of a loss than DiNucci if only because he was an unknown. DiNucci was not going to be any better than he had already shown.

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  19. so if many kids hate Nard Dogs guts and are vital members of the team, did heather not consider this when extending him? Now I get both sides. Truth somewhere in middle and players want instant gratification and coaches are hard arses. But to me its a bit unusual that there is this much resentment from players that are so called leaders and have contributed. Is the Dog just cleaning house from former Chryst recruits? But unless you have a bird in hand, these departures are troubling.

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  20. It is understandable why Ollison might leave. The “higher ups” have yanked his chain continually since his ACC Rookie of the year season. I, for one, hope he stays but understand if he doesn’t.

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    2. Following his freshman year, Ollison lost PT because he kept missing his blocking assignments and Conner was back. From what I could see in the latter part of this year, he finally responded to the coaching. Not sure that’s having one’s chain yanked. If anything, by insisting he improve his pass block reads and execution, they’ve improved his attractiveness to the NFL.

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    3. I’ll be surprised if he stays. It doesn’t take much to get into Narduzzi’s doghouse. No doubt why Whitehead left.

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  21. Our program is on the verge of turmoil. I had the parent of a local recruit tell me that they wouldn’t let their dog go to Pitt. I asked why and they just said no one gives them a straight answer. Not sure what that means but I’m beginning to wonder if there isn’t some more to all of these young men leaving.

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  22. There is no big issue here. The QB transfer in both cases were for opportunity. Players leave for many reasons. But mostly the writing is on the wall. You are not on the two deep and QB’s leave at every program. PSU may lose two this year. Bama loses QB’s all the time. I expect DiNucci to be at a IVY league school. He never should have come to PItt and went to Penn. Patti will back up Pickett. Move on.

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  23. I think Ollison has been passed up already but I wanted to see what Flowers, Pugh, McKee, Williams could do, specially Pugh.

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  24. Unless the Nooch is going to a MAC or Sun Belt school, he isn’t starting at a D1 program. He needs to face that. I hope he called Penn and said, “I made a mistake. Let me join the Ivy League.” That is what is best for his economic future.

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  25. You can’t be a competitive program in any league if you lose as many guys to other reasons as you do to graduation or early NFL entry.

    Graduation and NFL entry happen (and if you lose em to the NFL that means its recruits that worked out) but losing 5 or 6 a year for other reason kills a program.

    What is more important – Stability of the Head Coach or the ability to have a place guys want to play?

    I am very worried about these developments and its a trend that keeps on repeating. (started last off-season went on all season and now into the off season).

    As for Dinucci why in the heck would he leave. Your a snap a two away from playing in P5. Unless you really want that Ivy League degree (which he already turned down once) where are going to go and have it any better. How about sticking around and just enjoying the ride. Hell no matter what he can always say he started multiple games for a P5 football team. That is elite club.

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  26. Is it news to anyone that Narduzzi is an ahole?? I can tell by listening to him open his mouth. He is self centered and thinks he is the cats meow. Insert I’m a hater or troll but anyone can see he is a power hungry know it all.

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    1. Is it news to anyone that _____ is an ahole?? I can tell by listening to him open his mouth. You can fill in that blank with people posting on here, LOL.

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    1. I was thinking that when the Eagles QB went down diving into the endzone. Narduzzi is going to have to reign in the kid at least for 2018 until Patti gets some experience.

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  28. I understand wanting to play but don’t get the not wanting to compete for the job. Transferring is not always the solution (Chad V). Sure hope things are not as bad as Reed alludes to.

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  31. Just a thought.. no offense intended. but maybe Ben read and heard too many times that he’s not a D-1 QB? Let’s not get all upset because these latest two players are leaving. No time to change the goal posts.. I would think it would make sense to some that considered them both liabilities…

    …and I’m not trying to be a JO here. but what is the rumpus over players that were classified as non D1 QB’s?

    .. and now, here we are assuming that it’s Narduzzi is the reason for the latest turmoil? I would like to see more consistency with the PITT football team and coaches and also with the commenters as well. Blaming the coach just yet is an unreasonable assumption imo… ike

    H2P!

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    1. There is a reason two announced it within days. I see Mutiny on deck. Both were weak butvat least knew the system. If Kenny gets hurt this is 2 years of 5 or less wins. Is that worth 2.5M. But hey Heather got him for 6 years.

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    2. Maybe he watched his own film for 5 minutes too….
      Off to Poughkeepsie St. is the smart move now I guess…

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  33. I’m really not disturbed by any of these guys leaving. Come on, we all saw BD and do you think the kid from JUCO can be much worse. Pugh, well I saw him play several times in HS and thought he was a lot like Rippy, just overrated without a position. Ollison is the only kid I’ll miss, and that’s just because I like him.
    I am, however more concerned with WHY they left. Reed obviously has heard something, but what we will probably never know until it’s announced by other media. Please be realistic, we for the most part saw BD and were not impressed. If we had to use him next year we were not going anywhere anyhow. The rest couldn’t get on the field for whatever reason. Don’t go OMG Ben transferred and we are doomed. Again, why they left is more concerning.
    Also, talked to my AD buddy again in Va. The real culprit demeaning the kid was an assistant coach, and I was kinda shocked to hear it. Me thinks there is something rotten in Denmark.

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  34. People on this blog shreaded DiNucci all year. Now all of a sudden he is a great loss. Hilarious. If he isn’t D1 material, as stated on here a thousand times why should he be on the roster.

    Is he transferring to the Brookline sandlot league. He will probably be a star there.

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    1. Same with McV…everyone wanted Pickett as the starter – now it’s his. I’m more interested in what rumors Reed has been hearing. I hope Oli doesn’t leave – he became super valuable near the end of the year.

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  35. I think the last thing these two want to be considered are mutineers. Not a good reputation to follow you around at such a young age. Again, speculation and assuming are for.. …??? … queens… and such…

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  36. I think something bigger than football is going on here. It is a little hard to hear about the disconnect. We may never know the whole story, but we get interesting bits of info.
    I think back to the odd set of circumstances I believe it was after the nc state game when narduzzi told dinucci your still our guy than narduzzi said he never said that.
    What about Moss he claimed duzz and staff told him he was there best back but didn’t play him. Clearly the case is a bunch of bad apples or narduzzi is trying to hard to make everyone happy. I just wish I could put my thumb on it but I think pugh not playing was why Raines didn’t come.

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    1. I’m sure Pugh & Raines talked…good point. I hope Narduzzi didn’t kill off this excellent pipeline…

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  37. You guys are all making a mountain out of a molehill on these transfers. Kids want to be given a chance to play and as such transfer out at the drop of a hat. It’s happening all over college football. And as for Pitt’s QB situation from watching Pitti’s HS highlights its my opinion that he would be the best option in backing up Pickett next season. With DiNucci transferring out now we won’t have to worry about Narduzzi making another DUMB QB decision by putting DiNucci in the game in the event of an injury to Pickett.

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  38. Thanks NRS and seriously.. The attacks on the coaching staff are uncalled for without knowing what the story all entails. Reed has done a great job of letting us all know that something was and is amiss but he hasn’t pointed the finger is any direction.

    Let’s wait and see… me? I still think it’s steve’s fault.. makes as much sense as other opinions.

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  39. By the way, Clemson had 4 transfers last year within a month after winning the national championship. I believe even more left after that.

    You can tell the Dabo is a jerk the way he talks! LOL

    Come on guys.

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  40. I think the FBS average is around 5 players per year so when it gets to 7 or 8 then there may be a story. Until then, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

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  41. The fact that players leave is not the issue.. it’s the WHY that’s important.

    It’s true players leave teams like Clemson after successful seasons.. because they recruit DOZENS of 4* players and some kids leave after realizing they’ll never be starters. Some leave because of a coaching change and/or system change that finds them with out a place. Some can’t handle the academics.

    So.. is this a grades thing? Not likely. Is it a system change? Nope. So, it’s either a playing time thing or a dislike/disconnect with the coaching staff. I agree we should wait to see how many more leave, and more importantly WHY they leave. However, Narduzzi simply hasn’t earned the “benefit of the doubt” IMO.

    I am not assuming it’s a staff issue. I truly don’t know what it is. But why are some of you so quick to assume it isn’t?

    Reed, UPitt and others are taken to task for assuming there’s a problem with no proof. So why are you so quick to assume there is no problem, when using the same information? Shouldn’t we all just wait and see?

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  42. Gloom, despair, Pitt’s losing two QBs. Deep dark depression, blame it on Narduzzi. If it weren’t for bad news, we’d have no news at all. Gloom, despair and H2P. – Hobie

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  43. You are 100 percent on the mark, Not Rocket. Transfers this time of year are very common in players who don’t like their perceived future role. However, as Reed has indicated, this year is a little different because there appears to be something that happened that is being kept quiet. QHenderson declaring for the NFL is just asinine. He won’t be drafted. Something fishy there. DiNucci and MacVittie, I completely understand. Both can see that Pickett is superior in talent and will be the starter for the rest of their careers. Let’s see what else breaks in the coming weeks.

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    1. MissingWlat, do you happen to know what the minimum wage is today in the NFL? I believe it will be somewhere near a half million for those rookies that make the roster. It’s my guess Henderson has a 50/50 shot at making an NFL roster and a 80% chance of making an NFL practice squad. And even practice squad players ain’t doing too badly on the salary front in the NFL.

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      1. jrn: Ever heard of Greg Lee? A better receiver than Q. Was advised to stay by Wanny. Decided to go. Wasn’t drafted. Never played a down in the NFL. Guys who don’t get drafted who are primarily special teamers are not 50/50 to make NFL rosters. The value of kickoff returners has plummeted, as there are so many touchbacks.

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        1. I’d be willing to bet the Belichek and Brady would be able to get the ball to Henderson and utilize his talents for productive use. Time will if he made the wrong move at this time. The sad part is that I think Pickett would have been able to get him more actively involved in the Pitt offense next year than any other previous QB’s.

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          1. Even in 2016 when QH had his breakout year, it was mostly his returns and rushing. He did not exactly tear it up as a receiver.

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          2. Perfect fit for them. I was thinking the same thing about NE. But first he has to figure out how to run routes and get open. He couldn’t do it in college…

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  44. Not to worry

    Aaron Mathews‏@Mathews_A1
    Everyone is forgetting that I play QB too! 😏

    for that matter … so did Dane Jackson, Chase Pine, and Therran Coleman

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  45. Yes, still flying and hovering around the sky’s of Latrobe airport in a holding pattern try to figure out what’s wrong if anything and when it’s safe to land with a reasonable response..

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  46. Question for my friend Jay. Right away someone goes for Heather’s throat and calls her out for giving Pat an extension. Do you think is a fair assumption? Just asking..

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    2. I posted earlier that I like the extension. It’s helpful in recruiting but the buyout is cheap enough to let him go, if deserved.

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  47. I have no issues with any of the transfers or those declaring for the draft.

    At the beginning of the year QH was talking about his Heisman hopes and all. To me, he looked like he added some weight from last season and was a half step slower. Tavon Austin he is not, nor is he a Tyreek Hill. Henderson has so far proven to be an outstanding kick returner, but yet not good enough this year to be first team ACC. His play slipped for certain.

    Whitehead was suspended for 3 games, which is significant. Maybe he thought he was above the rules and such, who knows. He too did not have a good year. I’s sorry, but he seems to have regressed from his freshman year. He’s not a big hitter and not a ball hawk. He’s got a lot of selling to do to go to the NFL in an early round.

    Monte Nicholson left MSU last year and ended up a 4th rounder. Everyone thought he should have stayed and no one said he left because of issues with the staff. Same situation as Whitehead. Maybe Whitehead figures he’ll collect a check and not have to worry about his grades and such. Who knows.

    The body language from BN when KP was in the game said it all. He was not happy at all being on the sidelines. No kid on the field thinks he is unworthy to start. BN is no different. I don’t blame him for leaving if he wants to play. MacVittie is kind of different. We never got to see what he could do. However, he didn’t even play a full season in HS. We was a wild card for Pitt that may have developed into a starting QB. No different than the NFL when picking a QB. You never know who will make it and who won’t.

    The other thing is that some kids just don’t progress as expected. It is a big step from HS to a power 5 school. Some kids just don’t get any better than the day they stepped on campus. It happens. Pugh may be one of those, or he is a kid that is just taking longer to get all the details of playing his position. You also have to wonder who is talking to these kids. Is it a relative ala LaVar Ball telling them they are too good for the program and should be starting. However you look at it, I don’t see an issue here.

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    1. I had thought all that ended with the Narduzzi extension.

      It’s really no big deal. We’ll have a true freshman as the backup QB last season. It shouldn’t matter that Pickett, the true sophomore and program godsend who will be starting next year, wasn’t deemed ready to play as the backup by the current staff until game 7. Even then they apparently didn’t have much choice. In the end it will all work out behind the new offensive linemen.

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      1. I think the staff was intent on redshirting Picket until Browne wen down. Then it had to reconsider, and decided that Pickett was going to play when he was ready

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  52. Anyone leaving please be careful the door doesn’t hit you in the butt. This gives Pitt the opportunity to recruit over the guys leaving and improve the team which is what we all want. No one is guaranteed a starting job – the best players play. The 2nd or 3rd team guys must earn their opportunities by working hard in practice, off season conditioning, watching video, doing what the coaches teach them in practice, training table, attending classes, maintaining a good QPA, etc. just as in the business world. Best way to get ahead is too work harder than the people near your desk

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  54. DiNucci should go Ivy League if anyone is interested. He is not a D1 talent and he should not be thinking of football except as a way to get as good an education as possible. Pitt is good school, but not Ivy.

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  55. Q Henderson was injured for the first part of the season, Whitehead was coming back from a broken arm. Potential injuries have to weigh heavily in their decisions to enter the draft.

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    2. I heard about this and I think the reason Nooch left is because he heard Narduzzi was bringing in JUCO’s for QB tryouts.

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  58. ^^ First off Mrs inlaw, my condolences. Secondly dr. there is nothing to see here but hysteria…

    signed, Mr Upitt, his adopted pappy.

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  59. After thinking about it, I think both Henderson and certainly Whitehead made the right decision for them.

    Henderson is a kick and punt return specialist and their half life is short.

    I also thought about New England and Brady hitting him in stride

    He wasn’t going to get any more valuable staying at Pitt.

    Whitehead is more obvious, staying at Pitt will not improve his situation and the risk of injury is great.

    Transfers are on the uptick everywhere, so I don’t think there is an issue. All these kids have their butt kissed all their lives, especially during recruiting. When it turns out they aren’t good enough to get on the field they now transfer rather than toughing it out. Just another change in the culture. Nothing to see here.

    DiNucci is a smart kid, knows he will most likely never play again if he stays at Pitt, so why not go. Same with MacVittie. The days of being loyal to your school are ancient history, and that is OK.

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  60. wwb, that was a little jab and a joke. (all in fun) The kid was an obvious stud high school footballer…. now PITT may get him and pfft… It’s the PITT mentality… No harm intended and Not directed at you whatsoever

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  61. With respect to the above comment about Pugh, it certainly does take some players longer to find their position, learn the scheme, etc. I heard this secondhand, so I’m not sure how much weight to give it, but apparently Todd Thomas started as a WR. He then moved to safety and struggled. Someone talking to Wannstedt heard him say that he couldn’t let Thomas play because he could not get the concept that, in certain defenses where he had to cover a deep half or deep third, he couldn’t let receivers get behind him. A couple years later, Mr. Thomas became a very productive LB for us, so it worked out.

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  62. Can’t say if this comment is spot on but…. T Mac and BD leaving may not be the end of the world or Narduzzi being voted as the NCAA’s worst head football coach in D-1 college history? Another case of trusting the process… it’s not a required requisite for the POV and I realize that…. so fire away.

    Maybe the outgoing QB’s didn’t fit into whatever scheme Watson has in his game-plans for now?? Let’s not forget that this has been an offense with zero continuity filled with high and lows the past three years.

    Remember, sometimes what makes you feel weaker makes the strong even stronger! Seems like PITT has a little bit of that in their system… You cannot keep good men down!

    psu, Clemson, Miami!! ………………………… ike

    H2P!

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  63. Holy drama. I’m not sure what the big deal is. DiNucci was a not very good backup QB this season and he didn’t have much upside. He wasn’t going to rescue a season if Pickett goes down. I’m more worried about burning any bridges with Pine Richland.

    Henderson and Whitehead will be missed but are replaceable. Transfers happen to every team every season and every team has drama with kids upset over playing time. Kids leave early for the NFL every season.

    Whitehead will be replaced by Paris. Henderson by Ffrench on KR and Jet Sweeps. By Paris (most likely) on PR’s. Hopefully, Henderson didn’t make a mistake. As good as he is, he’s no Devin Hester. I know he sees himself as a Tyreke Hill type of player but Tyreke Hill is a stronger guy. He was more of a rb at OKST with 102 carries.

    I’m less worried about Whitehead.

    The QB situation is, granted, not ideal but ultimately our best backup this season ended up being a true freshman. It will work itself out.

    I doubt McVittie or DiNucci leaving was really much of a surprise to the coaches. It was apparent during the season DiNucci wasn’t pleased with how the staff managed Pickett. D1 football, and P5 football in particular, is cold mean world. I’m curious where both end up and I wish them well.

    As Reed said, others will leave too … and they’ll be replaced. It’s just the way it goes.

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  64. —Good decision by BN to leave. My impression – this kid does not have the attitude you want in a backup. I think he would have been a negative in the QB room. I wish him the best wherever he ends up.

    —Every team, especially a team with 85 scholarship players, has cliques and players who think they should be starting over others. It’s the age of transferring, so have at it.

    —Could be that HCPN has encouraged some players to leave to find a better situation for themselves — and more importantly for me, to open up scholarships.

    —Around 50% of recruits never are significant contributors…

    Go Pitt

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  65. QH ends up in Alberta or Toronto… exciting TDS on returns but left too many balls on the ground which cost us a couple of games.. he is not a receiver…

    JW… leading tackler for our team as a safety… likes “ to blow people up” with his shoulder- sometimes that doesn’t work out very well and they keep running… other times he comes up to make a tackle and “oops” a receiver is 10 yards behind him and scores !
    Safeties should never be your top tackler… that’s the middle linebackers job. Maybe some year someone will commit???

    Hometown Trivia…..Getting near Christmas.. any of you POVerts remember “Mr. Wrinkle goes to the North Pole” that was on KDKA when we were kids ???

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  66. No loss with Dinucci.. he has the 1st down poser move perfected- doesn’t work well from the bench- not COOL….

    McVittie…Chaney liked him and he recruited Nate…no one ever saw him throw a pass but Reed and the coaches…who knows… Flacco couldn’t cut it at Pitt either…

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  67. Good comments BiggieB. PITT and all of us have to keep on moving on.. We can’t look back…… we can never….. ike

    H2P!

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  68. Very odd thread. How I see the transfers/NFL prospects:

    1) T. Mac – Passed on the depth chart. It was obvious he was gone.

    2) Moss – Suspended twice. He did elude to the fact that he deserved to be suspended because he did break team rules but then felt he deserved to walk back in as a starter. Sorry kid, does not work that way. Should have come back and busted his ass to get his position back, instead he took the easy way and transferred. I think Moss has more talent then Hall or Ollison but I don’t think he has the mental aspect yet.

    3) DiNucci – Passed on the depth chart. If he goes to an Ivy League school great decision. He tried D1, was not good enough, played more then anyone thought and now will get a great education. If he goes to Robert Morris or Delaware I think he made a huge mistake. End of the day, he is probably not a starting D1 QB, but I thought he could be a decent backup, especially as an upper classman. Let’s see where he goes before we make too many comments.

    4) Whitehead – I think this was the easiest one to predict…maybe three years ago and for sure after a solid Freshman year.

    5) Henderson – Just a bad call. No way he gets drafted. He had to come back and win the WR job and have at least 40 catches while continuing his special teams play. he was talking about the Hiesman pre-season. I think he started to believe his bub. This is Greg Lee again…except Greg Lee had a chance…Henderson has none. If he went to another school then you can say something went wrong at PITT, but he believes he is NFL quality.

    Also, for the record, all of these guys thanked the staff and said only good things about PITT outside of Moss…they didn’t have to as we saw with Hackenberg (or whatever his name was at PSU). It is always good to not burn bridges but the posts looked sincere to me.

    The other guys mentioned as possible transfers: Flowers, Pugh, McKee, Ollison and Williams. Outside of Ollison all of these guys were passed on the depth chart. McKee and Williams a year ago, Pugh and Flowers this year. No surprise if any of those guys move on. I hope Pugh and Flowers stay, but as of now, they look like they have been passed.

    Ollison – I actually thought he got a raw deal the last two years. I thought he deserved a chance and didn’t get one. He was always upbeat on the sideline. I thought he left yards on the field his big year but that he deserved a chance when nobody was doing much better the last two years. It was said he didn’t block and missed assignments. Guess what, the last third of the season he played a lot, he ran, blocked, played in the backfield and H-back and to me he earned his job back. Maybe it was the right decision to sit him down. Moss should have looked at Ollison. I don’t think he goes anywhere and I expect him to play next year.

    O’Neill – Again, no surprise if he leaves. If he does stay, I think that says a lot about the staff though.

    Talk to me when starters transfer to other programs. Right now, it is no different then any other program. It is also no fluke that we are talking about players from Narduzzi’s first class that was cobbled together in a month that are getting passed over due to better recruiting classes the last two years.

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    1. EDR18..

      Now that’s what a post should look like. Some opinions, supported by a few facts.. Perfect. I don’t necessarily agree with the entire post but it did get me thinking from a different perspective.

      Kudos!

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  71. Why would ONeil leave.. Biz and DJ were more highly rated out of HS and anchored one of the best OLs in Pitt history. Both stayed through their Sr year. Ask them how the NFL has worked out for them.
    Speaking of RS Sr ONeil, mediocre year coming off shoulder injury, no TDS scored, no passes attempted and no Piesman repeat. Can make amends by returning for his Sr season!!!

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  72. Very enjoyable thread to read despite subject matters because of the insightful comments. My only contribution is that I think PN is well liked by the team and that his reputation is that of an energetic coach who cares about the kids on the team.

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    1. 6&34.

      “I think PN is well liked by the team and that his reputation is that of an energetic coach who cares about the kids on the team.”

      I’m not disagreeing because I have no idea. But.. this is your opinion based on what? Do you know players on the team? Parents? Assistant coaches? Athletic support staff?

      Just curious.

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    1. Emel – What do you expect him to say? Pat lied 2 times in press conferences after telling me I was the starter or whatever he said and Narduzzi changed the story 3 times. I’m sure Papa Dinucci said put that in there. Thanks for all you did for me isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.

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  75. Me thinks that whatever transpired at Pitt on the football front Upitt would seek to blame it all on Narduzzi and Heather. He may be right but then again he may be dead wrong.

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  76. I remember Bernie..Sterling Yates. Was on the Josey Carey show. “Funsville” or something. Yates was a jazzman too if I recall.

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  78. Doom and gloom. Too much based on too little.Lets see where we are after recruiting is over and we head to spring camp. That is when we move toward crunch time!H2P

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