SHARON, Pa. -- Aug. 1 marks the start of Pitt football's fall camp, which will build up to the season opener a month later in the latest rendition of the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia on Sept. 1.
Until the start of camp, we are going to break down Pitt's roster by position, starting with the defensive backs. The rest of the positional breakdowns will be posted once daily throughout the week leading up to the final rendition on Sunday, when the quarterbacks and specialists will be broken down.
Last season, Pitt's pass defense was ranked 12th in the Atlantic Coast Conference in giving up 264.3 yards per game, and 26 pass touchdowns allowed were tied for fourth-most in the conference. The pass defense, on a positive note, led the ACC with 16 interceptions in the team's 14 games. A league-high four were returned for touchdowns, and Pitt averaged a league-best 16.6 yards per INT return.
Honorable mention All-ACC selection Damarri Mathis is gone after being drafted by the Denver Broncos, but the secondary's other three starters return with room to improve. A trio of defensive backs switched positions on the team: Taelen Brooks will try his hand as a running back, and Buddy Mack III and Myles Canton converted to linebacker.
RETURNERS: Erick Hallett II (redshirt senior), Judson Talliander II (redshirt senior), Marquis Williams (redshirt senior), A.J. Woods (senior), Brandon Hill (redshirt junior), M.J. Devonshire (redshirt junior), Hudson Primus (redshirt junior), Dante Caputo (redshirt junior), Rashad Battle (junior), Jahvante Royal (redshirt sophomore), Jehvonn Lewis (redshirt sophomore), P.J. O'Brien (sophomore), Khalil Anderson (redshirt freshman), Javon McIntyre (redshirt freshman), Tamarion Crumpley (redshirt freshman), Noah Biglow (redshirt freshman), Stephon Hall (redshirt freshman), Ak'Bar Shabazz II (redshirt freshman).
DEPARTURES: Mathis, Anthony Scott-Naji.
NEWCOMER: Ryland Gandy (true freshman).
ANALYSIS
Hill on Monday was named to the watch list for the Thorpe Award, which is given annually to college football's best defensive back. The strong safety was named a semifinalist for the award and was a second-team All-ACC selection after last season by accruing 73 total tackles, seven defended passes, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Hill is the unquestioned leader of the Panthers' back line, with Hallett joining alongside him as the team's free safety. Hallett, an honorable mention All-ACC selection, paced the team with nine pass breakups and tied for the team lead with three interceptions while starting all 14 games. He was the MVP of the ACC Championship Game after intercepting two passes in the Panthers' win against Wake Forest.
The Panthers have one returning, consistent starter at cornerback in Williams, who had 34 tackles, an interception, and three pass breakups last season.
The biggest quandary to solve within the secondary is Mathis' replacement. Devonshire, Woods, Battle, and Royal are all candidates to start opposite Williams, but the veteran Woods could be considered the leader in the clubhouse as camp begins.
Woods played in 13 games and started the Peach Bowl against Michigan State. He recorded the longest interception return in ACC Championship Game history when he picked off quarterback Sam Hartman and returned it 73 yards to the Wake Forest 3-yard line at the beginning of the fourth quarter. He broke up seven passes and intercepted another last season.
Devonshire was an impact reserve at defensive back last season, with four pass breakups and an interception recorded in 13 games. His season highlight was the game-sealing interception at the goal line in overtime against North Carolina.
Battle and Royal mostly played on special teams, but could see expanded roles.
A wild-card is the addition of Gandy. A three-star recruit and the third-highest-rated 2022 recruit pulled in by Pitt and Pat Narduzzi, Gandy could redshirt, or he could be chosen to contribute to the secondary right away. The 6-foot cornerback was a three-time state champion football player and a standout track runner in Georgia and enrolled at Pitt in January after graduating early from high school.
Here is the rest of the week's rundown for Pitt position breakdowns:
Tuesday: Linebackers
Wednesday: Defensive Line
Thursday: Offensive Line
Friday: Receivers/TEs
Saturday: Running Backs
Sunday: Quarterbacks/Specialists
