Pitt brought back most of its starters in the secondary for the 2022 season, which raises the bar of expectations from defensive coordinator Randy Bates and how the group can help the defense hit the ground running. The only starter of his secondary who won't be back from 2021 is Damarri Mathis, who runs at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend.
But the Panthers get the combined experience between several starters and significant contributors from last season, including cornerbacks Marquise Williams, A.J. Woods and M.J. Devonshire, along with safeties Erick Hallett II and Brandon Hill.
After Pitt's third spring practice of the 2022 season Friday, Bates opened up about what he wants to see from his returning defensive backs and how he wants to see them improve in the coming season.
"What happens is when guys get farther along in their career, their improvement gets smaller," Bates said. "But think about Aaron Donald, he's trying to improve. But what he improves to get better is a smaller leap. But it's a big impact. An extra sack could be worth as much as a million dollars. Our young guys make bigger leaps quickly, but our Erick Hallets and Brandon Hills make smaller leaps with far more important little things to fix that help us. We're looking for the same amount of improvement, but it's on smaller, minute issues they've had."
Hallett and Hill were both in similar circumstances last season as safeties with limited experience in the defense who were taking over for prominent starters over the past few seasons like Damar Hamlin and Paris Ford. It took them a while to develop the kind of chemistry to trust each other consistently, but Hallett feels like their starting point this year is a big advantage that can benefit the entire defense.
"It's good knowing we don't have to start back at ground zero," Hallett said about his chemistry with Hill. "Me and Brandon have a good relationship on and off the field. We know we can take that chemistry and continue growing. Our secondary is based a lot on communication. We need to know where others are going to be and rely on each other to be there. Having that chemistry and that trust with us and our corners is huge."
Hallett's also being a senior is part of an experience advantage the Panthers will have for a second consecutive season. Last year Pitt had 23 seniors who either could come back for an extra year due to the NCAA COVID waiver or were on their final year of eligibility. Only five of the eleven seniors who could've used the waiver returned for 2022, but that still hasn't stopped Pitt from having a large group of seniors.
"We've got 18 seniors on defense," Bates said. "It's a little hard after one day of pads to be sure, but I think they're all doing a great job of mentoring the young guys. Who steps up as leaders? We'll see."
Hallett also sees that as an advantage for Pitt's defense that had up and down performances in 2021, ultimately finishing with strong showings at the end of the season that included shutting out Wake Forest's offense for the final three quarters of the ACC Championship Game. The Demon Deacons finished the season averaging 41 points per game, fourth-best in the country.
"Definitely," Hallett said about the defense having a chip on its shoulder. "Especially in today's college football. All you hear about is the offense. Nobody cares about the defense. Being able to shut out a team after the first quarter is huge. It's about building, like a stepping stone. We know what didn't work, what worked, and what could work. We also know what people have seen in the past and we're working on what we have to change up. That gives us a baseline to build off."
Bates sees the leadership component for the defense being more essential to his safety group. But that's not about any characteristics or traits of individuals, it's just about how their roles in the defense differ in how they relate to other positions.
"That's a hard position to be a leader," Bates said. "You're on your own island and away from everyone else. They're better leaders in their own room for their younger guys. I believe they're leaders, but they'll be part of their positions rather than the whole defense."
Hallett embraces the role of player who's not on his own, as Pitt's safeties play a major part in the communication between not just the secondary, but all the levels of the defense.
"A lot of the communication comes from the top-down," Hallett said. "We communicate the coverages and the blitzes. We have to make sure everyone is on the same page. It's vital for the safety position. We're trying to continue what we've built. You don't want guys to try to do too much. Even if there's new guys, we have to keep the competitive level we played at, and eventually raise it."
But even as Pitt is seeing strong showings from players who've been known contributors, others have been stepping up in the spring practices. Friday was the first day the team was in full pads, allowing for contact drills and team sessions.
Pass rush technique drills during #Pitt spring practice #3. Can see @CoachPartridge oversee work from Calijah Kancey, John Morgan, and Dayon Hayes among others Friday morning: pic.twitter.com/D300wRtyZ3
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) March 4, 2022
Bates indicated some of the players who stood out Friday was redshirt freshman defensive back Javon McIntyre, who blocked a field goal, and redshirt senior linebacker Myles Canton, who returned an interception for a touchdown.
• Pat Narduzzi announced after practice that Bob Junko, Pitt's director of player development and high school relations, would be retiring after 29 years with the program.
"Today was coach Junko's last practice," Narduzzi said. "He's going to ride off into the sunset. The funny thing is he said actually has to go work because he hasn't had to work for 54 years. But now he'll have the opportunity to go home and do that honey-do list. He's impacted everyone of our players. Everybody that's here, he's touched. We wish him luck and I'll miss him. His energy every day is about this program. He is Pitt. The way he treats the kids means a lot and they all make sure to say hi to him when they walk by his office every day."
Junko is widely respected across the tri-state area, and spent 38 years coaching in college football before switching to an administrative role for Pitt. Even as an administrator, he made sure to have an impact on every player in Pitt's program and bring an energy that would resonate in workouts, practices, and all around the team's facilities.
"He means so much to the program," Jared Wayne said. "We see his enthusiasm all the time and he never misses a day. That inspires us as players and coaches to give our all every day and share that enthusiasm. We'll miss him."
"I love coach Junk," Owen Drexel said. "He's such a special guy, I love being around him. It's the energy he brings. At the end of every practice he'll yell, 'saw that wood.' He's the energy and the heartbeat of the team."
