in Pitt Football, Statistics 901 Words

2022 WTE Production Lost – Miami

Miami enters the second season under the control of one of the legendary players of Miami’s golden years. No, not Al Golden, he had his chance. I am speaking of Mario Cristobal. Mario was to bring the Hurricanes back to prominence in his first season. He and his team failed miserably.

I may be mistaken but I thought a new HC usually replaces most if not all of the assistant coaches from the previous regime. If he kept Manny Diaz’s staff, I could see why the Canes went 5-7 in 2022. But he hired all new personnel. Well, he corrected his first Miami coaching staff by hiring two new coordinators, and five new position coaches (RB, WR, TE, DL and LB). I guess three coaches met his standard but for a guy with previous head coaching experience a 30% hiring rate is pretty bad.

On to the review starting with the 2022 and 2023 schedule.

For a team that was picked to win the Coastal and was the AP #13 ranked team after two games, it turned out Miami was not back.

Miami outscored their first two opponents by a combined score of 100 – 20. Your homework for the day is to calculate the average Miami score for the last 10 games of the season.

NCAA 2022 offensive stats:

Nothing in these stats to see but badness intertwined with mediocre.

The offense revolves around the QB:

Van Dyke was the toast of the ACC in 2021. The Drake Maye of that season. An injury during the Duke game just about shut his season down.

Jacurri Brown was a true freshman in 2022.

On to the Running Backs and Wide Receivers:

Miami lost three of their top four RB’s. The Canes are returning their leading rusher in Henry Parrish. They are also returning Don Chaney who was injured most of last year.

QB Jacurri Brown is now the Canes second leading returning rusher.

The receiving group is basically intact except for TE Will Mallory. He will be missed.

Did anyone notice that the Miami offense was one passing attempt from being an exact 50/50 split?

The Miami OLine review:

Cristobal was an offensive lineman back in his playing career. Cristobal wants a strong offensive line now that he is a HC. Miami did not have one last year. IMO, they had the third worst ACC offensive line in front of only BC and Virginia.

While three seniors started, it was not a dominant line. It also did not help that prior year starter Zion Nelson missed most of the 2022 season to injury.

Cristobal is known as a recruiter not as a game day coach. Miami had the seventh highest Rivals ranked 2023 recruiting class. He wants a strong OLine. With his recruiting prowess (and NIL money), he landed the highest ranked Rivals 5-star Oline man. To really revamp Miami’s Oline he added another 5-star and a 4-star. He also picked up two linemen from the TP.

Speaking of recruiting, here is a new chart. It includes TP activity (both In and Out) and 2023 recruiting. This one is for the Offense. There will be another for the Defense.

Cameron McCormick was a member of the Oregon 2016 recruiting class. This will be his eighth season. Due to injuries, he has missed four seasons. He must be an outstanding teammate like Tre Tipton.

That wraps ups the offensive review. On to the Defense stating with the defensive NCAA stats:

Overall, these stats are significantly better the offensive ones.

The following chart lists all defensive players who made at least one defensive stat.

Miami lost 16 of the 35 defensive players with a stat (five to eligibility, two early NFL declaration, and 9 TP out). But only five played considerable time and had large stats total. They mainly lost depth. It is obvious that Cristobal wants his own 4-stars.

The new defense chart. It includes TP activity (both In and Out) and 2023 recruiting.

Besides the nine players with at least one stat who entered the TP, there is and additional four players who did not make a stat.

For consistency, I will put all new recruits in the defense bucket if Rivals labeled them as an ATH (lete).

Yes, there are two different Bobby Washington’s for those who read the recruit part of the chart.

Last but not least, the miscellaneous NCAA stats.

One thing Miami has is particularly good special teams. And speaking of special teams, below are the Miam kicking and punting stats.

They lost their punter to eligibility but seem to have a capable backup. The Canes did pick up a walk-on long snapper from the TP.

Overall, at this time Miami lost 21 players to the TP and signed or  have commitments from 10 players from the TP. They are still looking for additional players.

Miami blamed their anemic rushing attack on the OLine. Have they fixed that problem? We may see in the second game of the season against Texas A&M. But A&M has its own problems but that is a school with its own problems in a different conference.

Defensively, Miami returns a lot of starters with production. But they have lost depth. What happens with injuries and rotational players? Miami’s fandom do not want another 5-7 season. They may settle for eight wins, but they want (and believe they deserve) a championship. Eight may be possible especially if A&M plays like they did in 2022.

194 thoughts on “2022 WTE Production Lost – Miami”

    1. You’re right. I had to redo most of my excel files where I had them set up by division. It’s easier to find a team now that they are alphabetically.

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  7. Sad news. I remember going to “The House of Thrills” as a freshman at Pitt in 1959. My shortstop as a Brooklyn fan was the GREAT Pee Wee Reese. Dick Groat was not a Reese, but he was a true gamer and a great ballplayer…RIP!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. AD Lyke is holding a press conference right now for another Victory Heights project set for 2025.

    This facility will be 240,000 square feet.

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    1. The same project as previously announced, but she is giving more clarity today. Pitt has raised $12 million of the $240mm cost to date.

      The last project after this in Victory Heights will be an indoor track and band complex.

      No update on a contract extension for her, so the haters still have hope she leaves.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Miami had a mishmash of talent that fit the team Cristobal wants to build. They will be fine longterm. The culture at Miami vs. what he wants to install was pretty significant and I think it was reflected in the on field performance. Once he gets his culture and players it’s going to be off to the races. Miami is going to be very legit and pretty quickly I’m afraid. With FSU on the rebound and Clemson being Clemson the ACC is going to be hyper competitive in the short-term. We won’t be talking about down years much longer for football.

    Cristobal is an excellent recruiter, coach, and has excellent pedigree. Do not sleep the program that he will build.

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  12. If Miami does not easily win 9 games with that easy schedule, something is definitely wrong! Miami not winning the ACC since they joined is just incredible! They sit in one of the best recruiting areas in the country. An upstart school in the middle of the state, UCF, has been able to outperform them in the last decade. It must drive Miami’s alumni nuts!

    One big problem with Miami though is well known by the POV faithful. They do not have an OCS. That truly is a kiss of death:)

    Liked by 2 people

  13. New Chancellor, an (almost) new AD… could it be that the tide is turning for a new OCS?? What does the BoT think? The fundraising for Victory Heights is not exactly great..

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    1. Depends on how Victory Heights goes and if Pitt football can maintain or advance their current peak.

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  15. Kancey’s first round choice by Tampa Bay gives Pitt’s DT recruiting a great bump when going after those undersized DT’s going forward. Now we have the Donald and Kancey example to put forward as prime examples of up far up the NFL draft list one can go at Pitt even if your not a 5 star at that position coming into college football. The Partridge plus Donald plus Kancey combo provides Pitt with a good sales pitch going forward for DT recruits.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. If you watched the ESPN tv casting of the draft last night, Louis Riddick talked about Pitt a lot. He was predicting a Kancey 1st round selection and seemed disappointed when the Jets selected Wil McDonald from Iowa St at #15.

    Tampa Bay got a really good pick and I’m glad for Calijah that he got the recognition that goes along with a 1st round selection.

    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. ​​ ​

    ​​​​​​
    April 27, 2023​

    Pitt’s Calijah Kancey Selected in First Round by Tampa Bay

    PITTSBURGH—Pitt All-America defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was selected in the NFL Draft’s first round (19th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday evening.

    It marked the second consecutive year the Panthers produced a first-round pick. In 2022, quarterback Kenny Pickett was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 20th overall selection.

    Pitt last had first rounders in consecutive years in 2007 (cornerback Darrelle Revis, New York Jets) and 2008 (offensive tackle Jeff Otah, Carolina Panthers).

    Overall, Kancey becomes the 27th Pitt player to be drafted in the opening round. He is the second Pitt product to be selected by Tampa Bay in the first round, joining linebacker Hugh Green, who was taken by the Buccaneers with the seventh overall pick in the 1981 draft.

    “Our entire program is bursting with pride right now for Calijah,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “This young man has absolutely earned all that comes with this night. Here’s a Miami kid who didn’t receive an in-state Power 5 offer, comes up to Pitt and ends up being a Unanimous All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting a great player and even better person.”

    Kancey’s final collegiate season ranks as one of the most decorated in Pitt history.

    He was named a Unanimous All-American, earning first-team nods from each of the NCAA’s recognized selectors: Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.

    In 133 seasons of intercollegiate football, Pitt players have earned Unanimous All-America recognition only 15 times. Kancey was Pitt’s first Unanimous All-American since 2013 when defensive tackle Aaron Donald earned that lofty stature.

    In addition to his All-America citations, he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the prestigious Outland Trophy (nation’s top interior lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year).

    College Football Network (CFN) named him the National Defensive Tackle of the Year.

    Kancey truly was one of college football’s most dominant players in 2022 regardless of position.

    Despite facing an array of blocking schemes designed to slow him down, he compiled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played. (He missed the regular-season finale at Miami and the Sun Bowl against UCLA due to injury).

    His 14.5 TFLs led the nation’s interior defenders.

    Pitt recruited Kancey out of powerhouse Miami Northwestern High School, where he was a first-team All-Florida Class 6A performer and led the Bulls to back-to-back state championships.

    PITT’S NFL FIRST-ROUND DRAFT CHOICES

    Year: Player, Position, Team (pick overall)

    1961: Mike Ditka, TE, Chicago (5th)

    1964: Paul Martha, DB, Pittsburgh (10th)

    1977: Tony Dorsett, RB, Dallas (2nd)

    1978: Randy Holloway, DL, Minnesota (21st)

    1981: Hugh Green, LB, Tampa Bay (7th)

    1981: Randy McMillan, RB, Baltimore (12th)

    1981: Mark May, OL, Washington (20th)

    1983: Jimbo Covert, OL, Chicago (6th)

    1983: Tim Lewis, DB, Green Bay (11th)

    1983: Dan Marino, QB, Miami (27th)

    1984: Bill Maas, DL, Kansas City (5th)

    1985: Bill Fralic, OL, Atlanta (2nd)

    1985: Chris Doleman, LB, Minnesota (4th)

    1986: Bob Buczkowski, DL, L.A. Raiders (24th)

    1987: Tony Woods, LB, Seattle (18th)

    1988: Craig Heyward, RB, New Orleans (24th)

    1989: Burt Grossman, DL, San Diego (8th)

    1989: Tom Ricketts, OL, Pittsburgh (24th)

    1992: Sean Gilbert, DL, L.A. Rams (3rd)

    1995: Ruben Brown, OL, Buffalo (14th)

    2004: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona (3rd)

    2007: Darrelle Revis, DB, New York Jets (14th)

    2008: Jeff Otah, OL, Carolina (19th)

    2011: Jon Baldwin, WR, Kansas City (26th)

    2014: Aaron Donald, DL, St. Louis Rams (13th)

    2022: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (20th)

    2023: Calijah Kancey, DL, Tampa Bay (19th)

    Liked by 3 people

    1. It figures the Sleelers drafter the only bust among them, Ricketts. I don’t think they drafted another Pitt guy for years after that.

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  18. Jordan Addison taken in the first round at number 24 by the Vikings. Does that confirm his transfer from Pitt to USC as a smart move? Can’t say for certain but it surely didn’t hurt him.

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    1. Taking the 3mil was a no brainer. I don’t think it helped or hurt his draft status, but it cost Pitt a possible ACC title and Addison a possible second Bilitnikoff. Pitt would have added to it’s NFL number one draft picks.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I understand why Addison left, however, it was a major blow to Pitt’s offense. There is absolutely NO WAY that Addison could have won a second Biletnikoff Trophy with a second rate QB like Slovis,,,,,NO WAY! The interesting thing about last night was that Addison was drafted much later in the first round than he hoped for given all the hoopla about how great he was made out to be. I believe that he will have a successful career in the NFL, however, he in my humble opinion he will never be a SUPERSTAR.

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        1. I have to disagree Isnore, as the number one receiver Addison would have given Slovis an open target on most plays. Slovis problem was that he couldn’t check down to second and third options when Wayne wasn’t open. Addison makes the tough catches that the others did not. Addison makes everyone better.
          If you watched Slovis film from USC his freshman year, he made the throws to his excellent receivers downfield. The other issue last year was that there was no YAC. Addison gives you that.
          Addison would have got much more TV coverage than he got at USC, and much more opportunity since he would have been THE guy instead of one of many.

          Slovis came here to throw to Addison, Addison leaving was a huge blow to Slovis’ success.
          Wayne got off to a slow start, Means dropped too many passes and Mumpfield had no YAC.

          Addison would have changed all that, he is that good, if he can stay healthy he will be a superstar in the NFL. His only downside is his size, but other guys his size have had great success.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I said that Addison would have a successful career in the NFL, so I am not anti-Addison!
            Slovis will have his problems at BYU because he needs an extremely strong OlIne to protect him against his inability to slide or run out of trouble. I have to admit that I have not done any research regarding BYU’s Oline or receivers, so I could end up being 100% WRONG.
            Stay tuned in……

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            1. Slovis definitely has his weaknesses and all QB’s are better with protection and receivers that get open and make tough catches. Pitt’s O-line injuries also didn’t help him early on.
              Hopefully Pitt’s o-line gives the type of protection required for success this year.

              Liked by 1 person

              1. I still say another big factor that hurt Slovis was Coach Cignetti installing a whole new offense that it took the receivers a long time to figure out. And it seemed like Bartholomew never took to it…

                Wouldn’t surprise me if Slovis has a good year – I agree he needs good protection. I say Coach Duzz never should have gone after Slovis because of his limited mobility. Need a QB who’s at least something of a run threat these days…

                Go Pitt.

                Liked by 3 people

                1. Right you are MajorMajor regarding coach Cig. I believe when Larry Fitz and AD matched the USC offer, JA3 made his decision to jump to USC, Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams. That was a winning formula in his mind, not Pitt, Cig and Slovis.

                  Turned out to be correct, unfortunately.

                  Liked by 1 person

  19. P.S. The Big 12 is a Conference that features high-powered offenses against mediocre defenses, so Slovis might be able to stay on his feet to throw touchdown passes.

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  22. ESPN has a listing of the best remaining players in the NFL draft. They have Izzy at No. 77 and Carter Warren at No. 78.

    Kind of shows how the Pitt coaches have been doing more with less…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

      2. I love SirVocea but I do not see him starting in the NFL. I do think he can make a career as a backup/special teams player. He’s fairly quick and very smart IMO.

        Liked by 2 people

  23. Somehow I think Haba and Dennis may surprise some people. Haba was injured this year which slowed his development. Dennis just seems to have intangibles that many don’t have.

    You never know though, there are surprises both positive and negative when guys step up to the next level. They would both be worth signing if they don’t get drafted.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. OT – I don’t know why this idea popped into my head today – it’s likely connected to watching some of the NFL draft last night and the behavior of Roger Goodell.

    Here’s my idea: Each year the NFL Commissioner should have to put on the typical football helmet worn in the NFL and then take a shot to the head equivalent to what a QB experiences when thrown to the ground by a 270-pound defensive end.

    Do you think this might accelerate the NFL’s efforts, presuming there are any, to improve helmets and cut down on concussions?? Can some of you celebrity POVers use your influence to get this done? 🤔

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. My prediction was updated for both Izzy(may drop to 5th) and Warren in the 4th round. I knew most NFL teams would not be mesmerized by Izzy’s speed but more so about his inability to break many tackles on his runs. Warren in the 4th is simply related to how valued OT’s are and his size and experience gives him a chance to surprise many with his NFL play. He may have to move over to right tackle with a right handed NFL QB however.

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    1. I’ll be surprised if Warren is drafted. He just doesn’t have the lateral quickness to play in the NFL, IMHO.

      But I do hope he is drafted. I do expect Hill to be a late draft pick because of his speed. His college career seemed similar to Hamlin’s to me…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  29. Excellent job by Kancey and best of luck to him in Tampa. I hope he has better health than Hugh had there.

    Read an interesting article where in 2017 the ACC had 3 teams in the top 10 for number of players on final nfl rosters. In 2022, the acc had Zero teams in the top 10 for number of players on the final nfl rosters. The talent has gone down across the league which has contributed to our winning percentage. I am in agreement with Tossing that I think we will see the numbers shifting so long as FSU and Miami continue to recruit at a nice rate and Clempsin bounces back a bit. Catch 22 if you are us. We want a strong conference, but a stronger conference means we need to up our game. Congrats again to Kancey.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. As expected SEC and B1G dominant in the first three rounds. ACC with 12 guys drafted.

    Pitt with one shows that Narduzzi continues to do much more with less in terms of wins and losses.

    The fact that the Championship team had 3 future number one picks indicates that you need the stars to succeed at the highest levels. Having a number one QB and receiver making the biggest difference.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. No surprise that Alabama, Georgia and Ohio St had 3 first round picks and Clemson had 2. Somewhat surprising that Iowa had 2. Pitt would have joined that small group with multiple 1st rounders if Addison didn’t defect.

    The difference is that those top teams have multiple draftees in the 2nd, 3rd …..

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    1. Just watching the highlights on the selected players, the first rounders really stand out. Size, speed, strength, quickness – they have it all.
      As they move through the draft, still see some good qualities but seems to me there is a definite drop-off as you get into the third round…

      (With all the 4-star recruits at PSU, seems like they should have more high draft choices…)

      Go Pitt.

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  33. I always root for local kids to do well in the NFL, regardless of their college choice. Joey Porter Sr. was one of my favorite Steelers players. Having said that, I hate the pick of Joey Jr. at the top of the second round.
    I get that all the “experts” had him highly ranked. However, every year they have these guys ranked highly that go in the top two rounds. About half of them end up being a bust to some degree.
    I never saw Junior as a high prospect. He is a poor tackler (even the experts say as much in their bios, although they put a rosier spin on it. For example, “he will have to improve at securing the tackle at the next level.”) Additionally, he covers well when he is grabbing and holding the receiver (the experts spin it as, “he is handsy.”) While modern football allows this more than they ever used to (and more than I think they should,) it is unlikely that he will get away with it as much in the NFL as he did in college due to the fact that he will be facing better talent more consistently.
    I viewed him as a mid 3rd to mid 4th round prospect who would be nothing more than a special teams/sub package player.
    As a Western PA and Steeler enthusiast, I hope I am wrong.

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    1. When I read the reviews I wondered about the same things, just doesn’t seem like first round material. Obviously the Steelers have been high on him for a while so we will see.

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  34. I’ll consider Addison a PITT product anyways, Narduzzi and his staff went thru the trouble of searching and finding a diamond in the rough. Actually, PITT should have received 3 million bucks as well as Jordan A.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Happy for Carter Warren that I was wrong about him being drafted.

      Izzy and Warren. Looks like the Jets like Pitt players! isnore using his influence!

      Go Pitt.

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  37. Israel Abanikanda could go this round too. The Steelers need depth there with Jaylen Warren being the only decent RB behind Harris.

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    1. You could be right but great speed without the ability to break tackles has limited his value IMO. Hammond if in the draft this year would be my pick before Izzy. Hopefully we will see him shine in 23 for Pitt FB.

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        1. Not really as its very rare for any back to go untouched when he gets the ball in his hands. Getting Izzy the ball on a short pass in the open field might be the best option. From the backfield Izzy for all his speed also lacked shack and bake when running with the ball.

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            1. Izzy in the open was almost uncatchable. Great speed made many defenders miss on bad angles. I’m just not sure he will get the same type coverage in the NFL with many defenders almost as fast as him.

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  39. Addison bitching and complaining on tv about how his transfer to USC hurt his draft status and PR.

    Let’s see… where do I start. Too f-
    ing bad!!! Next …. You’re a slow 173 lb WR and that does not translate to the NFL. Now you have Kirk Cousins throwing to you. Good luck with that!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. I agree with your sentiment. Since Jefferson is the main threat in Minnesota and will draw the coverage, it might lead to Addison being more successful than I am hoping for. I freely admit, as much as I would like to be the better man, I wish nothing good for Addison. He’ll forever introduce himself as Jordan Addison- U.S.C. He cut ties, and so have I.

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  45. Addison complains about his treatment by Pitt Fans and how tough it was on him, also he left because Whipple and Marion left. So why didn’t he enter the portal before he got all the offers? Guy could have left Pitt as a legend but leaves USC as just one more carpetbagger.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. He left for USC for 3 million reasons, a condo on the beach and a Bentley, best of luck to him in his future NFL endeavors.

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  46. Take a look at the Trib’s article today on Pitt’s new Victory Heights complex. At the end of the article Heather makes the following statement: “Everybody says you can’t build it here in Pittsburgh. How can you build it? You find a way, right?” Could she be sending us a message about a future OCS??

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  48. I don’t understand after watching some of the players taken in the 6th and 7th rounds how Hill, Wayne and Haba are sitting in-picked.

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  49. A DT from Northern Michigan was just taken, a WR from Princeton and a punter from Auburn.

    Head scratchers…

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  51. Steelers take 2 CB’s from the B1G Joke conference.

    Think about that for a minute. One is a poor tackler and the other was an Honorable Mention all big 10 selection.

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  53. Maybe Wayne and Haba would be better served as free agents going to the team that offers the best chance to stick with at this point.

    Liked by 1 person

  54. The Packers picked a WR from Charlotte with less stats than J Wayne and he was honorable mention in Conference USA

    Just sayin…

    Liked by 1 person

  55. The last pick was LA Rams and a DE from Toledo.

    Sad for Wayne & Haba – hopefully the free agency world will be kind to both.

    Go Pitt!

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  60. No way Wayne was getting drafted. He doesn’t have the speed.

    Haba is a tweener with his size. On a 4-3 defense he has to bulk up. On a 3-4 he has to be an OLB. Not sure he has any coverage skills.

    Happens to many college defensive ends.

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  62. Liked by 6 people

  63. April 29, 2023​

    Pitt’s Six NFL Draft Selections Lead ACC, Rank Fifth Nationally

    PITTSBURGH—Pitt had five more players hear their names called during the NFL Draft on Saturday. The Panthers finished with six total selections this year, including first-round defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 19th overall pick.

    Pitt’s six draft picks led the ACC (tied with Clemson) and ranked fifth nationally.

    It is the second time in three drafts the Panthers had six selections. Pitt also had six picks in 2021, 2004 and 1992. The last time Pitt had more than six players drafted was in 1990, when seven Panthers were taken over the course of a 12-round NFL Draft.

    Over the past three drafts (2021-23), the Panthers’ 14 picks are the most of any ACC program. (Clemson is second with 13.

    In Pitt annals, the 14 picks are the most over a three-year period since 1990-92, when 17 Panthers were taken. (The 1992 draft was the last to have 12 rounds.)

    Offensive tackle Carter Warren was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round (120th overall). Warren played in 40 collegiate games, making 39 starts at Pittt.

    “We are thrilled Carter gets to live out his NFL dream by returning home to play for the New York Jets,” Coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Coach Robert Saleh is not only getting a great offensive lineman but also a leader. There’s a reason Carter was a captain for us and I know he will do the same, on and off the field, for the Jets.”

    Running back Israel Abanikanda also went to the Jets in the fifth round (143rd overall). Abanikanda was the ACC rushing champion (1,431 yards) and the NCAA statistical champion in scoring (11.6 points per game), total touchdowns (21) and rushing touchdowns (20).

    “What an awesome moment for a Brooklyn kid to go and play for the hometown New York Jets,” Narduzzi said. “Izzy is an absolute steal for them. He is going to give the Jets home run speed in the backfield and can help them in the return game, too.”

    Linebacker SirVocea Dennis was picked by Tampa Bay in the fifth round (153rd overall). Manning Pitt’s middle linebacker position this past year, he paced the team in tackles (94) and forced fumbles (two).

    “SirVocea is going to be a tremendous addition in Tampa for Coach Bowles, who certainly knows what it takes to build great defenses,” Narduzzi said. “SirVocea might just be the most intelligent player I’ve ever coached. A ‘Green Dot Guy’ if there ever was one. We are thrilled SirVocea and Calijah will be continuing their football journey together.”

    Safety Erick Hallett II was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round (208th overall). Hallett finished his Pitt career by making 31 consecutive starts and was responsible for a team-high six turnovers (three interceptions and three fumble recoveries) this past year.

    “Erik Hallett was so vital to our defense during his career,” Narduzzi said. “He’s such a smart, instinctive and athletic player. Erik is everything you want in a safety and I know he will be a really big asset in Jacksonville.”

    Safety Brandon Hill was Pitt’s final selection of the 2023 NFL Draft, going in the seventh round to the Houston Texans (248th overall). Hill was the Panthers’ second-leading tackler this past season with 67 stops, adding two pass breakups and one fumble recovery (returned for a 30-yard touchdown).

    “The Texans are getting both speed and an aggressive hitter in Brandon Hill,” Narduzzi said. “He has the ability to not only compete at safety but also be a real difference-maker on special teams. Coach DeMeco Ryans and his staff got a real gem in a later round. I know Brandon will be ready to get to work upon arrival.”

    Reported free-agent signings as of Saturday evening included defensive end Deslin Alexandre (New York Jets), Habakkuk Baldonado (New York Giants), offensive lineman Gabe Houy (Chicago Bears) and receiver Jared Wayne (Houston).

    Liked by 2 people

  67. Under the radar, but it looks like the ACC is adding women’s gymnastics. That should be a positive development for our girls.

    Liked by 2 people

  70. Saw this info on Wayne… Not a bad deal.

    #Texans deal for undrafted @pittfootballfam wide receiver Jared Wayne includes $10,000 signing bonus and $200,000 of his first-year salary is guaranteed for a total of $210,000 guaranteed, per a league source. Wayne (6-3, 210, 42 vertical) caught 60 passes for 1,062 yards,

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 5 people

  72. Very strange – the struggling Panther baseballers swept a 3 game series with the California Bears. Strange scheduling and strange result.

    The Bears are only 5-16 in the PAC-12…

    Go Pitt.

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    2. I watched that game yesterday. Lots of errors on Cal’s part. I expected them to be better than that.

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  77. As much as I dislike Duzz personality wise, he has brought stability and sustainable success to Pitt Football. 6 Pitt players drafted and another 6 invited to camps is almost beyond the comprehension of those of us who’s suffered thru the late 60’s and onward!!

    Pitt Basketball is at crossroads and needs more help from the TP. This week and next are critical. This team as it sits is a mid pack ACC
    team that cannot compete with the elites! Good hunting Jeff! H2P

    Liked by 1 person

  78. Thanks for the link, GC. I read it over, and my thoughts were that most of Minor’s weaknesses were technique related and could be improved with good NFL coaching. The 40 time was a bit slow, but other than that he seems to have the physical attributes to be successful. Does anyone know how many sacks Minor gave up the past two years?

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    1. Little doubt he was our most consistent o-lineman for the last two years and recognized by the ACC as such. Obviously it is a huge jump to the NFL with loads of great guys (pun intended). I think like Baldonado if he dedicates himself to whatever is necessary we haven’t heard the last of him. It is usually the Tackles that give up the sacks so he probably did not give up many. Not sure how much 40 times make a difference to guards but quickness and the ability to pull are important.

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  79. One more Panther entered the transfer portal Sam Van Der Haar the punter from Australia. That was a big break for Pitt in that he was never going to punt ever again for us and as such it frees up another scholarship for Narduzzi.

    Liked by 2 people

  80. Maybe it’s just me, but I think we’re seeing the effects of the NIL: the kids just want the money and don’t care where your program is at. Pitt football has a lot to sell right now and is struggling to find receivers from the portal. They haven’t been linked to any linebackers, another need. Basketball I guess has done OK with the two signings, but kids aren’t looking at what is returning to be a part of, just the highest bidder.

    Is this due to the changes we’re going to see coming to fruition this fall: SEC and Big Ten bottlenecking the rest out? The B10 will have games on Fox at noon, CBS at 3:30 and NBC in primetime.

    The SEC is going to own ESPN and ABC. Where does this leave the ACC and Big 12?

    Narduzzi’s work is solid and about to get tougher.

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  81. I read where there are over 1000 players in the portal for women’s college basketball. Yikes!

    Yet Pitt hasn’t signed one that I’m aware of. Course you can’t blame good, experienced players for not jumping on-board for a total rebuild…

    At the moment, we still stand at 4 returning players and 2 incoming recruits…

    (I figured if I posted a message then something will happen… 😊)

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  82. Why would good experienced players decide to choose Pitt unless they are gluttons for punishment or are very academically oriented? Pitt will most likely have to settle for second tier talent for at least the next 2-3 years unless our new coach is a miracle maker. Sorry to say it but our basketball non-program completely crashed under coach White.

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    1. Didn’t it crash under the three previous coaches as well? Not an easy fix for sure.

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    2. Strangely enough, even though it’s only 4 players and 2 recruits, Coach Verdi is inheriting a better team than Coach White inherited from Coach Suzie – plus Coach Verdi has the advantage of the portal…

      (Coach Suzie left Coach White 3 incoming recruits who never made any significant contribution…)

      Go Pitt.

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    3. WBB has never crashed. You have to take off first before you can crash. The program has never had a fair shake since it began playing in the early 80s. Funny to think of Posvar and Bozik having big expectations for women’s basketball when using couch-cushion change as the spending budget on it.

      IIRC, western PA in the 80s, 90s and 00s was a hot bed for talent and Pitt was too cheap to take advantage. Similar to the men’s program in the 50s, 60s and 70s with all the players who came from the area and went elsewhere.

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      1. Pitt was in the NCAA sweet-16 in 2008 and 2009 under Agnus B. And even Suzie went to the NCAA tourney in her first year thanks to inheriting Brianna Keisel at PG.

        Go Pitt.

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  83. Wiltz to Steelers 

    Sent from my iPhone

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    blockquote type=”cite”>

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      1. I also agree with GC. WWB, time to put pen to paper (figuratively speaking)!

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  84. So if I read the comments correctly, we had 6 player’s drafted and 6 signed as free agents, and one (Minor) who a few believe was our best or most consistent OL, yet we only won 9 games! Did we under-perform with all of that talent, over-perform, or get it just right?

    I would argue that we under-performed on wins and losses with the professional talent we had on the roster. Six drafted players in the top 230 in the land shows we had talent. Six signings on top of that say we really had a lot of very god talent. Or, I could argue that the qb makes the team.

    All 6 of Pitt’s drafted players were rival 3 star recruits. No 2 stars. Addison was also a rivals 3 star if you want to add him as number 7.

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      1. Hey Richard, thanks for another great piece. Not positive and I’m not sure if SirVocea played much if any of his senior year in high school. He was more highly thought of at one point?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I believe your right about his senior season. Ended up playing a season at a prep school in New Jersey.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I thought Dennis had a knee injury in HS which blocked him from a higher ranking but helped Pitt to land him.

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            1. He did have a knee injury in his senior year at a high school in the Syracuse area. But he then spent a year at the Peddie School in New Jersey to show he had recovered. Pitt was his only FBS team to offer in that extra school year.

              Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re forgetting the Cignetti learning curve factor for the entire offense. Well, let’s hope it was a learning curve and not a terrible OC.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Excellent point though I will say that I am convinced that Slovis was not good which is not to say that Cignetti gets a pass. We will find out in 2023.

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    3. Pitt probably underperformed by a game or two. However the Tennessee game after a hard fought WV game was lost when our first string QB took a head shot and the second string guy played on one leg and the kicker who went on to have a great year missed two.

      GT the worst loss was Slovis’ first game back from concussion. The Louisville and UNC were road losses. Pitt’s defense relied heavily on turnovers, when they didn’t get them bad things happened.

      The team was pretty injury riddled during the year over and above the QB’s, the O-line had a few including the highest draft choice and I believe all running backs missed time. Baldonado missed games as did other defenders.

      Staying healthy is a big part of winning football games. All teams have them but Pitt had a rough year injury wise.

      Liked by 3 people

  85. Mel Kiper, much like the expert who guesses at NCAA seedings, is a complete fraud. He had one correct pick out of 32! Yet, he’ll be back next year with some holding their breath on every word he utters. Plus, he still works for the Ratbirds!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Kipers a joke. Same with McShay. Anyone on the POV could do the same job. These fools are making tons of money off it. Same goes for Rival stars.

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  86. I wonder if Narduzzi placed a little call to Tomlin to give Wiltz a shot. At least he is in a NFL camp.

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  87. There was no reason why Wiltz shouldn’t have got an undrafted free agent contract. I think he at least could an outstanding special teams player(great instincts and quickness) for a NFL team down the road. I hope he makes the Steelers practice squad at least.

    Liked by 1 person

  88. The Steelers have given a few undrafted Panthers a look over the past several years. It’s good PR and you never know when one might work out.

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  93. It must certainly help with recruiting if Pitt coaches can tell recruits that Narduzzi can occasionally whisper into Tomlin’s ear about an overlooked player. The Wiltz signing is extremely important for recruiting.

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  94. Wiltz signing is no different than any other Pitt guy not drafted. The more Pitt players that make a pro roster, the better. I think his chances are slim. He’s only 5’11. Not like he is freakishly fast or strong.
    I can see him in the XFL or USFL.

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  95. Reports have it Haba was drafted in the Canadian football league. A nice backup opportunity for him if he can’t latch on in the NFL>

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    1. Surprised Jared Wayne did not get drafted to play he CFL as his dad played there and he grew up in Canada.

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    1. Heather’s loyalty to Coach Narduzzi has paid off. Hopefully his loyalty to Pitt continues when the big money comes calling. It surely will if Pitt’s rise continues. Heather will/has become a hot commodity as well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Narduzzi will retire at Pitt if given the chance. He ain’t going anywhere anytime soon unless Heather axes him which now is highly unlikely.

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  97. It sure looks like the Steelers have done well in the draft and free agency and have gone all in to protect Kenny. Going to be interesting to see if he hold up his end of the bargain. Haven’t been this excited for a Steeler season in a long time, even though Kenny the probable fourth best QB in his conference.

    Liked by 1 person

  98. The new Steeler’s GM has done an impressive job of upgrading the roster through free-agent signings, trades, and the draft. Last season I thought they clearly had the worst roster in their Division.

    They have addressed weaknesses they had at several positions, including OLine, Dline, CB, and maybe inside linebacker. Course the whole Division got better, so still going to be tough to make the playoffs – but they should be much improved, IMHO…

    Go Pitt.

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  99. I told my daughter, a huge Steeler fan, that this was the best draft of her lifetime! 42 years.

    Ravens are still a mess and the Browns are the Browns. Kenny will be better. I really like this team getting off the bus.

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  100. Better late than never I guess:

    What: Family of Herbert P. Douglas Jr. celebrates his remarkable life at a Memorial Service

    When: 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 3

    Where: Heinz Chapel, on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh

    Please arrive: between 1:30 p.m. (when doors open) and 1:50 p.m.

    Livestream option for non-local media: pi.tt/youtube

    RSVPs are required: Please notify media@pitt.edu who will be attending.

    Attending Media, please:

    • Sit in the balcony.

    • Videographers/photographers will start the ceremony in the balcony.

    • After the service’s opening 5 minutes, videographers/photographers will be able to shoot from the ground floor side aisles (underneath the stained glass windows) in the back 6 rows – to avoid blocking the view of mourners.

    • Please attempt to uphold quiet.

    Afterwards, we will try to arrange interviews with family/friends: Look for Media Relations representatives in the vestibule by the chapel front doors.

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    1. When that many transfer out it seems there would be a lag in performance due to not knowing the playbook etc.

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      1. I think I know what you are trying to say but it depends on when a player enrolls at his new school.
        If he left in the first portal period and immediately enrolls at a new school and goes thru spring camp, he is ahead of a player who left in the second period and will not enroll until fall camp opens.

        Pitt got 7 from the portal. Only new TE (Epps) hasn’t enrolled. Pitt lost 11 to the portal. I’ll take our current roster with some additional entries.

        But you may be right. I have no idea when Slovis, Mumpfield, Means enrolled. There could have been performance issues until a chemistry developed. Same with all TP entries I didn’t name.

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  102. As I understand the rule, TP players can still sign but can’t play in the Fall. With 3 scholarships remaining, Pitt could sign a young player or two and redshirt him with maybe a couple of years left. Good opportunity to find a couple of good players that can spend a year in the weight room and learn the system on the practice squad.

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    2. Thanks for the heads-up, Erie.

      Jala Jordan has been around! She spent one year at WVU, three years at Auburn, and one year at Seton Hall. Yikes!

      Apparently there’s a second portal addition who hasn’t been disclosed yet.

      I’m still hoping for a 6-4 center, even if she’s just a rebounder and defensive presence…. And it’s going to be tough, but we need a couple scorers…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  105. Pitt Baseball? With another good night losing to WVU 10-0 w 4 hits and an error. Both Pitt and the Bucs blown out. Ugh!

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    1. The “mercy” rule was used in morganhole last night –

      The eers scored in all but one inning against HC Bell’s pitching staff through 7 innings. The game was called at 10-0 in the bottom of the 7th.

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