Narduzzi: Backup quarterbacks very much 'under the gun'

Pat Narduzzi is enjoying the chance to see what his players are like this spring after the pandemic ruined that opportunity last year.

Pitt just had its seventh spring practice Tuesday, and added three practices back into the schedule by pushing back the spring Blue and Gold game from Apr. 17 to Apr. 24. The decision came in response to the team missing three practices during the week it had to quarantine due to COVID-19 protocols.

Several position groups have interesting spring camp battles unfolding. Among them is determining who will back up starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.

"We didn't have a spring to get our guys ready last year," Narduzzi said when asked about how his quarterbacks have performed in spring practices. "That's why this spring is so important. And every position is important, but quarterback position just didn't have time. We'd be really under the gun if Kenny wasn't back and we were trying to get one of these guys to step up."

When Pickett announced his decision to return in December, it brought hope that the Panthers' offense could take steps forward instead of steps backwards.

Sophomore Joey Yellen started in two games in 2020 but didn't have a good showing in either. He completed only 35 passes on 78 attempts, a 44.87 completion percentage, with three interceptions and only one touchdown. Other quarterbacks on Pitt's depth chart include junior Nick Patti, sophomores Davis Beville and Eli Kosanavich, and freshmen Nate Yarnell and Logan Clouse, 

"Kenny obviously surprised us all with his decision," Narduzzi said. "Initially they were probably all like 'ah man,' but what are you going to do? As a staff and a program we were all happy for Kenny. But maybe some of those guys were thinking, 'what about me?' but that's normal. I think they're good with it. You've got to be a team player and everybody knows it's good to have that starting quarterback back for another year. But you never know how long it lasts and those guys got to be ready."

The biggest thing Narduzzi has to see from his younger quarterbacks is excelling in game-simulated situations. Making the occasional nice throws in warmups is one thing, but how they respond to fast and physical play against a defense is more revealing. Narduzzi has made sure contact has been part of the spring scrimmages.

"There was only one red-jersey quarterback out there, and it was Kenny Pickett," Narduzzi said. "Everybody else had those blue jerseys on so quarterbacks did get hit. We have to do that as part of their development to find out who that backup quarterback will be as soon as we can. Only way to do that is to make them go live and see if they can make plays with their feet, and see how they take pressure. We're going to keep doing that this week."

How the quarterbacks perform during their padded practices and scrimmages will go a long way to figuring out which quarterback gets the pole position for the top backup spot on Pitt's summer depth chart.

"They all did some good things," Narduzzi said. "Stat-wise, Davis Beville had the better stats for the backups. He threw a nice touchdown down the sideline to Jordan. Joey has had some nice throws, but sometimes it depends on who the receivers are. Sometimes he'll throw it to the defense but then you look and the receiver ran the wrong route. Nate Yarnell has also done a nice job a well. He's shown some leadership skills and I'm happy with his progress after seven practices."

Narduzzi also noted that several other position groups are going through interesting spring battles. But six players would miss time as they recover from injuries.

SirVocea Dennis had postseason surgery, but Narduzzi wouldn't disclose specifics on the surgery. Bangally Kamara is out after shoulder surgery, as well as Nate Temple, Erick Hallett, Leslie Smith, and Grant Carrigan. Narduzzi indicated that all the injuries were known going into Pitt's offseason and that it looks like each player is on schedule to return for summer training camp.

At linebacker, Narduzzi noted how Joh Petrishen had stepped up this spring from being a player who just showed up during games to also performing with intensity in practice. Even with Dennis sitting out, Pitt has an assortment of linebackers with Phil Campbell, Wendell Davis, Cam Bright, Chase Pine, Brandon George and Petrishen. All of them bring experience from last season, and Narduzzi noted that Randy Bates and the defense are exploring each of them at the Money, Mike and Star linebacker positions.

Also, Narduzzi noted how Matt Goncalves has worked his way into an offensive-tackle battle after a strong freshman season.

"He can play anything," Narduzzi said of Goncalves. "He's doing a great job. We've got a battle going on right now at the offensive tackle position. Right now, Goncalves, Carter Warren and Gabe Houy are in a three-way battle to start there. When we do the spring draft on the Wednesday before the spring game, it'll be interesting to see who drafts who at every position, but especially at tackle. Those are some good players and I'm happy they're in a battle. It'll be about who is more consistent." 

Narduzzi indicated that all three players could start at either right or left tackle. He also pointed to younger players who are pushing for more time in Pitt's secondary to replace the openings created by Damar Hamlin and Paris Ford entering the NFL Draft while Hallett, a presumed starter at safety, recovers from injury.

"Judson Tallandier is playing really well at the safety position right now," Narduzzi said. "He knows more than the other guys. M.J. Devonshire has shown some great things out there, as has P.J. O'Brien. There are some young guys getting a chance to step up and maybe beat Hallett out in the fall. With him being out, the young guys are getting some great looks. There's a battle at safety."

There's no apparent battle at receiver, as Jordan Addison is the undisputed best player in that room. But Narduzzi did note for a second straight week how impressed he's been by the improvement from Taysir Mack. Last week he said Mack was 'outstanding,' and this week he called him 'incredible,' noting how fast and confident Mack has looked in practices.

While Narduzzi wouldn't call the starting running back spot a battle, he did note the improvements of younger players fighting for more time.

"Vincent (Davis) is doing a nice job," Narduzzi said. "But he did fumble today. And I'm never happy when our guys fumble because that's rare. But Izzy (Israel Abanikanda) is doing a great job and Daniel Carter has really come on. It's a battle for who will be the backup. We had some really good grades on Thursday's scrimmage when we had 75 plays. We'll get over a hundred this weekend."