in Pitt Football 759 Words

2021 Production Loss NC State

I am doing the ACC non-Pitt opponents in alphabetical order. That means NC State.

Dave Doeren enters his tenth year as HC of the NC State Wolfpack. Overall. He is 64 – 49 (34-40 Conf, 27-6 Ooc, and a 3-3 Bowl record). He has hit his stride in the last 5 years 39 – 23 (25-17 C, 13-4 O, 1-2 B). He has had two losing seasons and the 2021 bowl game was cancelled.

All that leads us to last year results and the upcoming 2022 schedule.

NC State has mastered the art of out of conference scheduling.

Here are the Rivals 5.7 and above 2022 commits. Also included is the current Transfer Portal (TP) addition.

As you know, I like to use color coding to highlight certain items – light blue for eligibility, reddish pink for TP entries and a bright green for medical, grades or disciplinary reasons. NC State has a commit who would be a bright green for still being a verbal.

NC State has lost 8 scholarship players to the TP this year – Five from the offense, two from the defense and  a kicker.

On to the stars identified as NCAA team leaders in selected stats or members of the All ACC teams.

The offense revolves around QB play. I have added sacked and yards lost to the QB chart.

Behind Leary and Finley, the only scholarship QB on roster is 2022 signee M.J. Morris a Rivals 5.8  4 Star. To shore up their QB depth, the Wolfpack picked up past FCS Charleston Southern long time starter Jack Chambers as a graduate walk-on. Chambers is not currently listed on the 24/7 transfer port NC State page.

As I was drafting this article, it dawned on me that there could be a huge shakeup in Atlantic division starting QB’s in 2023. Cunningham (Louisville class of 2017) and 2018 class Leary, Jurkovec (BC) and Hartman (Wake).

NC State running backs and receivers 2021 activity. Also returning production for the first four teams reviewed.

We got a new leader in lowest returning production. Actually, I was surprised when I realized that NC State’s stat. I had to recheck my figures to see if I made a math/link error. I did not.

In my opinion, I do not think NC State expected Zonovan Knight to go pro.

NC State’s OLine stats:

Sacks as a percentage of total plays were 3.1%. That could change the Pass/Run ratio from 54%/46%  to 57% to 43%.

While NC State lost one starter (the 6’th overall NFL draft pick), they are still very solid. At one point, Zavala, a starter (injured in the 5’th game last season) was denied a medical extra year. But in another appeal won his case. In 2017, Zavala started as a true freshmen at Fairmont State (WV). He  played 3 games before being injured and sitting out the balance of the year. He transferred to NC State in 2021.

The Wolfpack returns 5 players with solid starting credentials. With that inexperienced returning RB roster, they will need that OLine to do their job. Only around 7% of plays resulted in negative plays.

That wraps up the NC State Offense. On to the defensive review.

NC State had a whopping 51 players make a defensive stat. But fourteen of them were offense players. An additional two were special teams players. That leaves 35 defensive players making a stat.

The chart below strips out the non-defensive players and thirteen players who did not make at least double digit tackles. I did leave a player who only made 5 tackles. He is high-lighted in yellow and more on him later.

I did add a total line for the 22 players on the chart. You can compare those numbers to the summary totals for all defensive stats.

NC State is returning basically all of their defense. The only slight weakness is in their LB group. And that is where the player high-lighted in yellow comes in to play.

Payton Wilson was injured in the first game (South Florida(USF)) of the 2021 season. In 2020, he was a first team All ACC selection. Here is his stats from 2020.

That is a significant gain offsetting the one LB the Wolfpack lost.

I am impressed with NC State. They have a solid football team returning except for the running back position. Somehow, NC State needs to find a running game that improves on their 2021 99’th rated rushing offense. If that happens, the October 1’st game against Clemson may decide the Atlantic division championship. That wraps it up. Next is Wake Forest, the team who won the Atlantic last year and has a shot at winning the division again.

150 thoughts on “2021 Production Loss NC State”

  1. My 2 cents. If the Clemson QB situation doesn’t improve, NC St will succeed Pitt as ACC champs.

    They had a really good team that was competitive with every ACC opponent this past year. Dave Doeren insists that Leary will be the best QB in the league this, and he has reason to feel that way IMO. Who knows, he may be the Pickett of 2022

    Regardless, I’m expecting the Pack to give Clemson a run for the money.

    Sent from my iPhone

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    Liked by 1 person

  2. 27 and 6 is indeed a nice record for out of conference games.

    Looks like they should win at least 10 games this season.

    Go Pitt.

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  3. Great article as always. Their coach is very PN like in my opinion. I say that as a compliment. They aren’t a big budget school. He develops players well and gets good results.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Dave Doeren was the Dc at Wisky before becoming HC for the Pack. The university has stuck with him and he has built a solid team. Right on, the Wolfpack will be formidable and we have not beaten them since the bowl game when a guy named Philip Rivers was QB and that was a lonnnnnnnnng time ago.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. FYI: Tweet

    Pat Narduzzi
    @CoachDuzzPittFB
    ⚫️⚪️🔥🔥🔥🔵🟡

    H2P!!! A couple different meanings 😎

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  6. The Wolfpack will be a major force in the ACC if the QB stays healthy. The factor that has nothing to do with how many 3 or 4** players are on the roster is scheduling. The NC State AD has the right idea, get the team some early wins and allow the players to develop for the regular season. I strongly believe that there should be some parity in out of conference scheduling for all P5 teams. When a schedule is loaded with patsies coming to a stadium for a payday it cheapens the won/lost record to enable a higher ranking for
    the National polls. Yes, I know that some FCS programs have better than average teams, however, that is clearly not the norm. Pitt playing New Hampshire or NC State playing Charleston Southern is KRAZEE.
    Players are put at risk for serious injury in totally meaningless games.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Either way, Pitt would be bashed for beating cupcakes or losing to good teams because it is still a loss.

      Give me the wins and an enjoyable Saturday. Higher rankings catch recruits’ eyes.

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  7. Thanks Richard, this is an interesting one.
    We may have been lucky to get Wake instead of NCST last year.
    They played everyone tough.
    The Atlantic division should be quite a contest this year. Clemson should have their QB issues worked out,
    Wake should still be strong and BC has Jurkovec back. Hard to tell if FLST and Louisville can bounce back.
    Hopefully Louisville is still down when we go there this year.

    I agree with their approach to OOC games. The loss of Addison makes WV and Tennessee much more difficult and if Pitt can’t win at least one of them it will be a long year, with no margin for error. Hopefully we don’t sacrifice a good conference year for a couple somewhat larger gates, which would be pennywise and pound foolish.

    Another consideration that may not have been mentioned was that KP was excellent on the road. No idea how either of our new guys will fair against opposing fans, when we have tougher road games this year.

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  8. Pretty sure that Duzz’s cryptic tweet had to with the $18 price for a Michelob Ultra at the PGA this weekend

    Sent from my iPhone

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    Liked by 2 people

    1. Well, Actually I think it has to do with the $18 price of the Michelob Ultra and the fact that Duzz won one on a bar bet for who had the biggest calves in the bar that night.

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    1. Since the university has been brainwashing its students to think athletics are horrible, or even a nuisance, not much love from the billionaire alums I guess.

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  11. Pitt is taking a big chance with the scheduling OOC this year. Win them both and escape without injury and the season sets up really well. Split and there is little room for error. Lose both and it could really impact the season negatively.

    The NCSt. schedule should get them to 4-0 out of the gate without their best effort. Pitt will need to be hitting on all cylinders to get to 4-0. I have been pushing for the minimum 3-1 OOC schedule since the steve pede years and he always seem to know best. Another area that gets overlooked is that the student athletes are only allowed 20 hours per week on the gridiron. Because of that, practice games become more important than ever. Thinking is actually involved and a prime example of how an AD can support the coach and improve the team without recommending plays or blocking schemes!

    Liked by 3 people

  12. Capel gets a G transfer. I believe he shoots threes at the same percentage as Horton.

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    1. From a Marquette beat writer to us Pitt fans:

      “So his entire Marquette career, he was really limited by injuries.”

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  14. Well done Richard – enjoyed the details with coffee this morning but had a 7:40am tee time that kept me from posting.

    Priorities aligned…

    Tonight our baseball team plays psuX. Hoping HC Bell starts his ace on 4 days rest – wins the game for show at PNC Park.

    Then for the weekend series with GT, he starts the kid who beat the domers to play off his confidence boost in game 1. Game 2 is the normal 6’6” Corcoran and the ace comes back on Sunday, on 4.5 days.

    Get’em ready for regionals, just in case.

    EE serving up a winner to pitching coach Bell turned HC.

    Go Pitt!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I’m guessing that this roster will be better than last year’s roster. Course that’s a low bar.

    Go Pitt.

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      1. The common denominator in the Capel brothers will erase anything the Primanti Bros bring to the table.

        Mo will be missed.

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  17. If Greg Elliot can stay healthy,
    he’s a huge get for Capel. But that’s a big “if”. He’s been hurt each of his 5 years for Marquette. His biggest asset is his defense. One scout I know describes him as an “animal “on D with a huge motor.

    We still need a slick point guard to compete in the ACC

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Elliot had some weird injuries. Hope the kid kills it this year for his sake.

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  19. Pitt baseball losing in the 8th 4-1 to psuX.

    Bell not getting it done – very little hitting – the starting Pitcher for Pitt with a 7.17 ERA to begin the game.

    The psuX starter not much better, but Pitt with only 5 hits in 8 innings.

    Sad showing at PNC Park tonight.

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    1. There is quite a comeback brewing at PNC Park right now. Two runners on, no outs and the score is 5-4 psuX on top.

      Let’s Go Pitt!

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  20. Maybe Pitt should get an on-campus baseball field. Instead of students walking to the field they have to be bussed. No college atmosphere. I blame Gallaher and the BOT.

    (sarcasm)

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  22. Pitt just pulled ahead 6-5 with runners on 1st & 2nd with one out.

    Best reliever we have better be warming up to close out this win.

    Come on man!

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    1. Bell stayed with a rookie on the mound who proceeded to walk the lead off batter.

      Good night!

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  23. Sorry to report, the rookie walked the 2nd guy with no outs.

    Pitching coach Bell goes to the bullpen to bring in a guy with a 6.85 ERA and one pitch later, there is a tater and Pitt is down 8-6 in the 9th inning.

    You can’t make this stuff up.

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    1. Really bad coaching decisions. Pitt went ahead in the bottom of the 8th 6-5 and had a chance to bring in their best closer to get the final 3 outs vs penn stinken state at PNC Park in downtown Pittsburgh – The City of Champions.

      HC Bell chose to bring in a rookie pitcher who walked the 1st batter. In baseball, chances of a lead off walk scoring are very high. I was so mad, I almost turned off the game, but I wanted to see which reliever pitching coach Bell would bring in to try and get out of this potentially tie game lead off walk.

      Instead, coach Bell leaves the rookie pitcher in the game – he walks another batter. I do a slow lap around the room waiting to see bench coach Bell’s next move. Now he has to bring in his best to save face, right? No, he brings in a guy with a 7.17 ERA which means in a 9 inning game he averages about one run per inning (rounded up).

      On the 1st pitch, with 2 guys on and no outs, he gives up a 3 run homer. I did not stick around for the other 11 runs, nor do I know who our hopefully former HC Bell brought in to serve up those extra embarrassing runs.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I’ve never seen a change of momentum in baseball that quickly. In the bottom of the 8th, Pitt had an epic comeback and I thought the win could sneak us in the NCAA tourney and then the top of the ninth was a long, ugly blur. Could that be a record for the most runs allowed in an inning?

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        1. Some are calling it the worst choke job in Pitt sports history.

          I just want to call for a new head coach. Jordano’s pitchers were not this bad as I recall.

          As BigB said it in an earlier post “Bell needs to learn that you play the Nits to win at all costs. Unforgivable!

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I like Bell and the direction of the program, but you are correct that we need some pitching. Even our closer Stuart has an ERA over six. I have a lot of hope for next year though. There were many injuries to position players this year and several freshman like Dom Popa, Luke Lambert, Tommy Tavarez, and Josh Overbeek got valuable at bats and playing time. They look pretty good now. Bell better hit the portal for some pitchers.

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  26. Awful baseball news for Pitt today. Annie, your frustration was obvious. Perhaps state penn hit a couple three pointers, scored a touchdown and converted the two pointer, post touchdown. That’s my scoring synopsis from reading your post.

    As far as a football update, there seems to be some movement with transfer rules. It looks like the universities are close to an agreement which will allow football coaches to have an unlimited amount of scholarships per year so long as the team stays under the total of 85. This will allow coaches to recruit thirty kids and have the “talk” with current players to have them move on, freeing up space. Yearly schollies had been limited, but that seems to be going away.

    As far as the portal, I think we will see some more defined “windows” around when players must commit and articulated recruiting windows. More news to come….

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    1. The change would just be an expansion of an NCAA rule change from last September.

      In prior years, teams were limited to a max of 25 recruits & transfer portal additions. (Though there were rules that allowed teams to go over that limit under certain circumstances.) In September 2021, the 25-man cap was raised to 32 due to the spreading use of the TP by players.

      I could go on and on about the interplay of recruiting (early December signing date), TP outs, coaching changes, the additional Covid year, eligibility/medical. and others but I won’t.

      This change helps teams like Tennessee who lost 34 scholarship players prior to the 21 season and had only a net 15-man 21 season recruiting class (out of an original signed class of 21 due to release from their NLI (4) and dismissals (2). They were only allowed to sign 10 TP entries based on the 25-man limit.

      In the ACC, it helps FSU, VA and Miami. (Notice all these are teams with a coach change or numerous coaching changes over the last 5 years.)

      There are hidden meanings in all the data I provide. That is why I provide the total number of recruits, TP losses and TP additions without providing a reason (or at least explaining why.

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        1. And here is a link to a CBS article that talks about the removal of yearly scholarship cap of 25 to unlimited for two years. Also, the removal of a NCAA requirement for FBS division winners to meet in conference championships. The NCAA now allows the conference to decide who meets in the championship game.

          https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ncaa-council-eliminates-restrictions-on-recruiting-class-sizes-fbs-conference-title-game-requirements/

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  27. Can we assume that manager Bell was saving his closer for a game deemed more important? Or wants to start golfing sooner?

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    1. We do play Ga Texh this weekend so msybe he figured ACC wins are more important. But that score is a total embarrassment. For a former pitching coach, Bell doesn’t seem to be able to establish a decent bullpen.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Reminds me of the only time I saw a Durham Bull’s game live.in the 80’s..Unplanned, we saw ball field lights on in the distance after eating dinner-drove over and the Bull were playing and losing 12-1 at the bottom of the 8th..we grabbed a couple of chillis and I sat down beside Annie Savoy (I wish) I proceded to watch the Bulls score 12 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win 13-12..in the old Durham Bull field…you could almost see “Nuke” and “Crash” Davis out there…what a memorable moment.
        Bell needs to learn that you play the Nits to win at all costs. Unforgivable!

        Liked by 3 people

  28. Coach Bell is still a Godsend compared to the softball coach. What a disaster that hire was.

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  31. I’m actually intrigued as to how Capel will put this team together. Some of these recruits may beat out last year’s starters. Certainly the 3 pt shooting is an upgrade.

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  32. Makes no sense to me for good or elite pitching-recruits to go to a northern school…. Who wants to pitch in 30-degree weather?

    When I played, our best pitchers were Western PA guys who stayed home (like George Medich), but then again we were almost all guys who stayed home…

    Go Pitt.

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    1. Rutgers and MD are teams that are highly likely to make a regional.

      UConn does most years as well.

      Excuses will find us if we look for them…

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    2. There are only so many top 25 schools out there and way more pitching recruits. Bell has to sell recruits on playing time, we have every game televised on ESPN Plus, and we are in the 2nd best conference in the country. If a pitcher can succeed in the ACC, they have a good shot to get drafted.

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  33. I guess we all got our basketball season ticket renewal email yesterday. Unless someone knows that Hemingways is scheduled to close, I’m in! Good food and pitchers of beer. Life is good!

    Liked by 7 people

  34. Just saw that Che Nwabuko ran a 10.1 100 meters to win the TX state championship ( 9th fastest in U.S. high school history ) INSANE!!! – he is invited to the WORLD championships in June. We also added a 6’4 (Red zone demon ) from FL. who decommited from Rutgers & watch out for local kid BV’s Devin Whitlock (Slot receiver) …Addison WHO ?? – we won’t miss him at all . I see seven reasons why we’ll be even better this year : better OC , improved WR coach , OL intact , added stud OL recruits, 4 RB’S ready for breakout season, D – line studs, added D – line stud recruits, improved LB corp , potential young stars in DB’s O’Brien & Louis !!!

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Another Spanish BB player visiting … former Weber State guard Seikou Sisoho-Jawara arrived in Pittsburgh to begin an official visit to Pitt.

    Would be a grad transfer but has two years. Can shoot the 3-ball – career over 41%…

    With the twins and this guy, we could be becoming the Spanish Panthers!

    Go Pitt

    Liked by 3 people

  37. Last night, Nick SabAn named names. He said Texas A&M bought all of its recruits. He said Jackson St bought a blue chip DB. And he also mentioned Miami buying recruits.

    He said Bama never bought anyone. Stay tuned

    Sent from my iPhone

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      1. I’m sure Nick Saban runs a squeaky clean program….HAHAHAH. Joe Pa told us the same thing…”Success with honor.”

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        1. It’s turned into quite the bru-ha-ha. Fischer fired back in a press conference. Deion Sanders, who was also named by Saban fired back. New articles by ESPN & CBS. Fischer said Sabin thinks he’s god.

          Also, one of the main topics on Sirius ESPNU channel 84 and on Packer and Durham on the ACC channel.

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          1. Saban called out Deion for paying one of the nation’s best recruits a million for going to FBS level Jackson State. I have no proof that occurred, but it does seem odd that a high level recruit would not go to a Power 5 school.

            is Nick sour grapes that he and a few other programs no longer has a recruiting monopoly…that many kids will follow the almighty dollar rather than a chance at a ring? Before the NIL stuff, the tradition and winning and all that stuff most likely meant much more to a recruit. Now it’s, “Show me the money!.”

            Liked by 2 people

  38. Meanwhile, just read an article where Addison is down to 2 teams … USC and Texas

    Sent from my iPhone

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  39. Currently Capel has four guards that have played a ton of basketball plus the following:

    Jorge Diaz-Graham, 6-foot-11 F, Sophomore
    Guillermo Diaz-Graham, 6-foot-11 F, Sophomore
    John Hugley, 6-foot-9 F, Senior
    William Jeffress, 6-foot-7 wing, Senior
    Nate Santos, 6-foot-7 wing, Junior
    Blake Hinson, 6-foot-7 F, RS Senior
    Fede Federiko, 6-foot-11 F, Junior

    That isn’t a young team. A little into ACC play, Capel will shorten the bench and have limited rotation. Exhausting his starters and making benched players unhappy like he does every year. There is no reason to do that with this roster.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Practices should be ferocious for the first time under Capel the team is really deep and experienced.
      Fouls shouldn’t be a problem except for Hugley the only power guy. These guys will have to earn playing time in practice.
      All of Capel’s previous teams really had no bench, hopefully some of these guys are able to elevate their games to ACC levels.
      I hope they sign the latest guy to visit, another three point guy, which is the biggest prize and still a weakness for Pitt.

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  41. Neither Hugley or Jeffress are seniors, but both have seen a lot of PT. Santos is a soph with limited experience. Nonetheless with the exception of the incoming frosh, there is a lot of experience

    Burton and Gueye had little problem quickly adapting. Shouldn’t be an issue for Cummings, Elliott and Hinson

    Sent from my iPhone

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  42. Burton really seemed to cool off at the end of the season, maybe fatigue or injury, not sure.
    It sounds like Cummings will be the point guard so guard rotation should be interesting.
    Also with 3, 6’11” guys, the most height ever at Pitt.

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  44. Pat Signal up on the Lair about 45 minutes ago. Lots of speculation as to who the signal might be for.

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  47. Penn tight end it appears. Smart kid who’ll abide by the Mission Statement.

    If he drops a pass though, Public Enemy No. 2 on here behind Narduzzi for bringing the kid in.

    Liked by 1 person

  48. I think it might be a bigger name commit than the Penn TE. The emoji was “snorting” on the signal. I wouldn’t have snorted the emoji if it was just the Penn TE coming on board.

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  49. Addison to USC, shocking. The NLI deal was in place long ago. He teased Texas like he was interested to distract from the USC done deal and tampering.

    Liked by 1 person

  50. Dang, I was hoping that Jordan Addison was staying and the whole transfer malarkey was an elaborate ruse to give Pitt some good PR when he chose to stay home 😦

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  52. Grass is not always greener but it looks greener from afar especially if it is $$$. Best wishes.

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    1. He’ll need to watch out for the dog droppings in that greener grass that weren’t scooped.

      Dog droppings stink no matter who’s shoe they stick too.

      What are the odds that a USC WR wins the Biletnikoff award not named Addison?

      Wishing JA3 the best, as he seemed to be a high character guy. Really wishing he stayed committed to Pitt.

      H2P!

      Liked by 1 person

  53. So where are all the other stars being stolen from other teams? ???

    Just Addison huh? If I was Heather, Duzz and Pitt Management I would sit down and figure out why this happened to us, and only Pitt!!

    And most important, why it’s NOT going to happen again?

    This was robbery and illegal contact at the least. Where are Pitt’s high priced lawyers and why aren’t we suing someone?? I’m pissed and embarrassed for my alma mater who always seems to be on the business end of a black eye!

    And no, I for one do not wish Addison luck. In fact I hope he breaks an ankle first practice. I’m a very poor loser which is why I rarely lost much in my business career!

    F’k USC

    Liked by 2 people

  54. Maybe Duzz’s cryptic tweet was he was alerted that Addison was headed for USC but he was bringing in a transfer ( or recruit)

    Sent from my iPhone

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  55. Should be some very interesting dressing-room dynamics on teams where some players are making over a million bucks and the majority of players are making little or nothing.

    I’m expecting to hear about some bad blood and some interesting fights during practices…

    Go Pitt.

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    1. They did to Alabama. Not a star on the national stage but definitely a star at L’ville.

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  57. I’ve been saying this all along…Addison will not have many friends at USC. Team mates will know he was bought and paid for. Team dynamics will not be good, and other teams might go after him. If they don’t fix this NIL problem, college FB and BB will be ruined.

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    1. Addison will have lotsa tag-a-long “ friends” to ride around with him in his new Escalade!!! The kind of friends only money can buy! Very sad what is happening…. as long as I know their is joy in Mudville(Red5A) I will be a fan…….

      Liked by 4 people

  58. Dylan Deveney TE transfer from GT is likely to be announced today. However some believe the Pat Signal was not about him from yesterday. We may have another commit today besides Deveney.

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  59. Danh72, the answer to your question about what other school couldn’t keep their stars is the Oklahoma Sooners. Yes, one of the elites

    Oklahoma couldn’t keep their star coach

    Oklahoma couldn’t keep their star QB

    And sadly, these are the two that have provided the incentive for Jordan to go USC … along with $3M of course (or whatever)

    Sent from my iPhone

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    Liked by 2 people

    1. Really, where were the screaming headlines …. The National embarrassment that Pitt faced.
      I’d subpoena the phone and email records of Addison and USC to prove tampering. At least it would show other schools they’re in for a fight if they try to poach further Pitt players!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. It’s more than the two. The one who set the forces in motion and who single handedly got lincoln riley to leave OU for usc is Brandon Sosna. He would be my next choice as an AD…..anywhere! I mentioned his name many months ago. He is only 30 years old (which holds him back with college presidents) with excellent experience with the cincy reds and cleve browns. Browns exec contacts say he is the next sure thing in college AD’s. He alone brought in Riley to USC, and then tag teamed the qb. No, we are not related. 🙂

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  60. Deveney, the TE from GT, was a Rivals 5.4 2-star in Geoff Collins transitional class of 2019. Four catches for 16 yards in 2021.

    24/7 TP site now has him 100% to Pitt.

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    1. Sorry notrocket, I disagree. For years the US women have been more successful internationally, and more popular nationally when they go on their tours to the various cities, selling out all their games. Why shouldn’t they be paid equally to the men? The men haven’t won crap yet get paid more. Can most people name any of the men’s players? I’ll bet not, yet there are people all over the country that can name prominent women’s players. I say the ladies deserve every penny!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Even with more success internationally, I assume they still made less or they would not have sued for more money.
        As the article states, “…the biggest pay gap in soccer: the huge difference in World Cup bonuses paid to men and women by FIFA. The 24 teams at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, for example, competed for a prize pool of $30 million; the 32 men’s teams that will compete in Qatar in November will split $450 million.”
        The international fan base is overwhelmingly supporting men’s soccer, not women’s soccer. Thus the pay gap. The advertising dollar is for the men. $420 million more. The revenues should not be shared.
        You are correct, in the US, the women’s team is more popular and that permits them to make lots of individual money from promotions, advertising and personal appearances. Much more than the men probably make. I doubt they are willing to share that money with the men’s team.

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        1. That’s a good point. Men’s soccer in the states isn’t as valuable as the women’s. But it’s an international game. And even the us men’s team gets tv eyes worldwide. Far more than the us women. Again since outside the us, women’s soccer isn’t a big draw. Personally, I think the us men just did this to avoid bad PR. They were justified economically to tell the women to go pound sand. And it won’t hurt the men’s bottom line. If it helps make us women’s soccer better, then it’s a good thing. But this has nothing to do with equal rights and equal pay. The jobs and markets are nowhere similar. It’s not like a male and female chem engineer working for Exxon.

          Liked by 1 person

  62. Not sure what the thinking is. The men do earn more because billions watch the men’s World Cup and view international friendliest of the best players in the world. Soccer is only starting to catch on outside the US as a popular women’s sport. But it will never have the popularity and appeal of men’s.

    But for the men’s team, they make their money with their individual club contracts and side endorsements. Sharing some tv revenues with the women probably doesn’t amount to much from their perspective.

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  63. Yes, men’s world soccer is easily the most watched sport TV sport, or any other telecast for that matter. However, I’m not so sure that it is in the US. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if women’s soccer outdoes men’s soccer in viewership. One big reason is that the US girls have a chance to actually win the cup

    Sent from my iPhone

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    Liked by 1 person

      1. I can’t name men’s or women’s stars, or teams, candidly. I can’t watch hockey and then watch baseball or soccer. Too boring! Watching grown up men flop around on a field as if they’ve been shot, when a replay shows they haven’t even been touched just kind of harshes my mellow. My soccer rule change would be that if you flop or are injured on the ground, you must sit out for as long as you delayed the game. Those dudes and dudettes miraculously spring back into action as soon as the next ball heads their way.

        Liked by 1 person

  64. Pitt baseball with another disappointing loss, this time in the ACC vs GT.

    After being down 6-0 after the 1st inning, (when I checked out) they went down 7-0 by the 3rd.

    The game winning home run was hit by GT for an 8-7 defeat of our nose-diving Panthers.

    Game 2 is tonight at Cost Field in Pittsburgh.

    Like

    2. Pitt Baseball needs to win the ACC tournament to have any chance at regionals. They’ve blown a chance for two years in a row now. Hire proven head coaches heather.

      I like the flopping rule. You delay the game by x number of minutes, you need to sit out for x number times two.

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  65. With scholarships available, I guess it’s a good idea to bulk up the tight end room. The two redshirt freshmen are just that, freshmen. Not sure of Kyi Wright’s future but it appears two more guys are being added to the room.

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    1. I agree. Need another TE who will give Pitt the freedom to move Bartholomew around and take advantage of his versatility…

      TE is the weakest spot on the team right now as far as backups, IMHO…

      Go Pitt.

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  66. I keep think Kyi Wright will have a breakout year. He is very athletic. It just doesn’t happen. I am assuming he can’t block.

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  67. Both Chris Peak and Dokish retweeted an announcement from a Karter Johnson that he decided to leave Coastal Carolina. Interesting. If my research is correct he was a highly thought of DT who committed to TCU in 2019 .. then decided to go to Juco and lose 70 pounds to become a TE. (Unless there is more than one Karter Johnson)

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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    1. Karter Johnson, Karter Johnson, Karter Johnson ew ew ——-. Crap, sorry, i was thinking Clarence Carter! Getting old……

      Liked by 1 person

  68. Johnson would be a real flyer considering the change of position and the loss of 70 lbs. A 4 star as a DT now trying to remake himself into one now as a TE.

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  69. Karter Johnson commits to Pitt. Hopefully the Pitt coaches spent some time looking at how transformed from a DT to a TE before making him the offer.

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    1. Some things like tiny hands can’t transform.

      Mark my words, Kenny will be a better QB than Ben. Saw rerun of the Seattle super bowl yesterday. Kenny beats Big Ben hands down in that game. And that’s a Ben that’s 200 pounds lighter and with a smaller head.

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    2. His tape looks pretty good. He was a DT in high school and at 6’2″ 238 has some speed to create matchup problems, depending on if he is used correctly.

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  70. There’s a video and article of Johnson on Pantherlair. He can also line up at H-back and fullback which likely appeals to Cignetti

    Went to high school at Pickering Oh. Believe we had a player from there a few years back

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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    1. I agree as I think at 6’2″ 238lbs he won’t be used much as a TE at Pitt but more in the H-back FB roll. Cignetti may be looking for additional help in the running game more now since Addison bolted to USC for sure.

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    2. Pickerington Central HS. Grey Brancifort was a walk-on in 2019.
      2022 basketball state champs btw. Chapel needs to recruit here, too.

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  71. Cignetti is moving the chess pieces around the board. Wright was a linebacker and qb in high school and a good basketball player and he ends up as a TE at Pitt looking to get on the field. Johnson is recruited by TCU as a DE and ends up at a Kansas Junior College switching positions to become a TE. Hmmm

    Well. one thing is for sure Pitt needs quality tight ends under Cignetti’s system. If Bart gets injured we are in trouble. It is possible that Wright is healthy this year and develops blocking ability (he is very athletic)
    Coach Salem has quite a bit of work to do because we have seen how Pitt underperforms when the TE position is a mess.

    We have been focused on the POV about the QB’s, running backs, receivers, TE’s, etc. etc. my concern is the kicking game. I have this crazy feeling that it is being put on the back burner and as we all know field goals are GOLD in tight games. Can our new Aussie punter be trusted to kick under pressure?
    I would love to see us find a quality kicker I will sleep better at beddy bye-bye time.

    Liked by 1 person

  72. I saw part of an IMG Academy game a couple of years ago, and Renda was split from from the LOS. He made a really nice catch down the field in traffic. But the team had all kind of talent and don’t believe he had any more chance, but I saw only s small part

    My guess is that he still needs to build up a bit to be an effective TE. He’s still a RS FR so has plenty of time to develop

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

  75. Pitt baseball losing to GT 15-2 in the 7th inning. I’m hoping this is Bell’s last series as a Panther.

    Back to playoff hockey.

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  76. Just a guess but a guy that lost 70 lbs ought to be mighty strong, and a lot faster. If he has good hands look out. Since he was a 4 star DT he is used to the physical stuff. This may be quite a pick up. Certainly a position of need. Like to see Narduzzi find one more LB that can play.

    A lot of guys say they have Pitt in the top five, June is when we find out how many have Pitt in their top one.
    We’ll see how much an ACC Championship is worth.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Not a criticism by any means, but wouldn’t you expect someone’s personal coach to say those things about him?

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  78. I am also interested to see how Twyman and Krull make out this year.
    I think the Steelers may have missed not giving Krull a contract.

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  80. Hail to Olivia Miller and Hail to Pitt!! We may have a failed baseball team, but we still have many outstanding STUDENT/ATHLETES that make me proud to say that I am a Pitt man.

    Liked by 2 people

  81. Baseball about to be swept by a bad Georgia Tech Team. Man these guys fall apart every last 1/3 of season.

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  82. This PGA Championship really stinks. I’ve seen several shots roll off the greens. These were decent looking shots. Most led to bogeys.

    A crap course design in my book.

    Go Pitt.

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  83. Saw this posted on the Lair about our potentially third Spaniard – no idea if the source is legit:

    “Weber State transfer guard Seikou Jawara would be a good fit for Pitt, he’s a point guard who shot 43% from 3 and averaged 3 assists per game, also shot 47% from the field, would be the perfect backup point guard option and a future starter…”

    3 assists per game doesn’t jump out – makes you wonder about turnovers…. A nice 3-ball percentage though…

    Go Pitt.

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      1. Good stuff, Richard, thanks! So he led the team in assists, 3 per game, and turnovers, 2.4 per game. I guess that’s the life of a point guard…

        He did shoot 80% from the foul line – so he does sound like a nice shooter…

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  85. Pitt BASEBALL Blows Early Lead, Loses Big to Georgia Tech, 13-7 in Final Regular Season Game

    👃👇🏻

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  86. Pitt is ranked 67 before this loss. Only the top 40 are safe to get a bid. Pitts only chance is to win the ACC tourney for an auto qualifier. Pitt does this for the second year in a row. Flame out.

    Heather needs to stop hiring assistants. And that softball coach needs to go as well.

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  87. Pretty much every poster has it wrong with Pitt football. Y’all get excited and twerked by a new QB or intriguing Tight End or some guy from Texas ‘nearly’ as fast as Bolt.

    The guy that you should be watching and rooting for is number 8 of the Steelers.

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