Pat Narduzzi overhauled his offense's coaching staff over the offseason in an effort to improve a dreary last two seasons on that side of the ball. While that side goes through a transition, his defense's staff remains nearly in is entirety and has several new pieces set to step up in 2024.
Even through the ACC Championship season in 2021 in which Kenny Pickett vied for the Heisman Trophy, Narduzzi's defense has been a steady force and consistent binder of the program in his nine years. Out of the Panthers' 18 NFL draft picks since 2020, 12 have come from the defense. Narduzzi has a knack for scouting under-the-radar talent and developing them in his system, and his coaching staff minus Charlie Partridge's departure for the NFL remains intact for another season of that development.
For as many questions as Narduzzi's offense has in its first year, his defense has its own questions to answer. Will development come to result in more wins for the Panthers while the offense gets is feet underneath itself? Does this defense have the same bite compared to years past?
Here is a look at the current state of the Panthers' defense:
• DEFENSIVE LINE
Depth chart: Nahki Johnson (R-Jr.), Nate Temple (R-Sr.), Maverick Gracio (R-Fr.), David Ojigbe (R-Fr.), Jimmy Scott (R-So.), Zach Zollers (R-Fr.), Zach Crothers (Fr.), Sean FitzSimmons (R-So.), Will King IV (R-Sr.), Bam Brima (R-Sr.), Sincere Edwards (Fr.), Thomas Aden (R-So.), Elliot Donald (R-Jr.), Francis Brewu (Fr.), Nick James (R-So.), Isaiah Neal (R-Fr.), Nate Matlack (R-Sr.), Chief Borders (Jr.).
One full season removed from having Calijah Kancey ruining quarterbacks' days, the Panthers struggled to get to the quarterback in 2023. Their 31 sacks as a team were the fewest in a season since posting 23 in 2017. With that down production, too, comes the departure of Partridge to the NFL.
This is a new era for the Pitt defensive line. Those who sat behind players like Kancey, Haba Baldonado, Deslin Alexandre, and more are now set to start. Johnson moved to defensive tackle out of need. Narduzzi went to the transfer portal for Ojigbe (Clemson), James (Indiana), and Matlack (Kansas State). All transfers are of different classes with Matlack being the senior, and he figures to be a factor right away at defensive end.
The unit also lost Dayon Hayes to Colorado. He led the Panthers with 10.5 tackles for loss and added four sacks. David Green and DeAndre Jules graduated, which leaves three open spots to go along with Temple being out for the season. Narduzzi and new defensive line coach Tim Daoust will need to reinforce that in short order.
Expect major contributions from FitzSimmons, Donald, and Neal up the middle alongside Johnson. Scott and Brima figure to get a fair share of snaps along the edge.
• LINEBACKERS
Depth chart: Jordan Bass (So.), Luke DelGaudio (R-Sr.), Brandon George (R-Sr.), Rasheem Biles (So.), Jeremiah Marcelin (Fr.), Braylan Lovelace (So.), Keye Thompson (R-Sr.), Kyle Louis (R-So.), Drew Foster (R-So.), Abe Ibrahim (R-So.), Dylan Bennett (R-Jr.), Nick Lapi (R-Jr.).
This defense missed signal caller SirVocea Dennis after he left for the NFL. The Panthers allowed 150.2 rushing yards per game, a far cry from the ACC-leading 98.0 yards per game allowed on the ground in 2022. Brandon George is the elder statesman of the room as a redshirt senior and will man the "Mike" linebacker spot as the signal caller. The NCAA is allowing in-helmet communication systems beginning in 2024 and George is the most likely to be tasked with the green dot as the on-field headset wearer.
This room is being completely overhauled from last season, and a great deal of production will need to be replaced. The position loses Shayne Simon, who posted 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Bangally Kamara transferred to South Carolina after posting 55 tackles, and Solomon DeShields entered the transfer portal after leading all linebackers with 58 total tackles.
That said, the youth at this position is exciting. Bass was a former top recruit, and Lovelace and Biles had solid springs and have bounds of potential. Thompson transferred in from Akron and was injured throughout the spring, so the jury is still out on what he can do. Lapi's snap counts have increased through his career and he should provide valuable experience and flexibility at the "Money" and "Star" positions within the defense.
• DEFENSIVE BACKS
Depth chart: Donovan McMillon (Sr.), P.J. O'Brien (Sr.), Javon McIntyre (R-Jr.), Ryland Gandy (R-So.), Rashad Battle (R-Sr.), Tamarion Crumpley (R-Jr.), Jesse Anderson (R-Fr.), Shadarian Harrison (R-Fr.), Tamon Lynum (R-Sr.), Nigel Maynard (Fr.), Noah Biglow (R-Jr.), Cruce Brookins (R-Fr.), John Glenn (R-Fr.), Dante Caputo (R-Sr.), Matthew Amofa (R-So.), Josh McCarty (Sr.).
Narduzzi, Cory Sanders and Archie Collins have a knack for this thing. The program has excelled at developing defensive backs and turning them into NFL-caliber players. M.J. Devonshire, Marquis Williams and A.J. Woods are now in the NFL. Brandon Hill and Erick Hallett III went pro last year. Nine former Pitt defensive backs have been picked in the past seven NFL Drafts. A Pitt defensive back has been picked in each of the last five drafts.
Who could be next?
The early returns suggest Battle and the Nebraska transfer Lynum are in line to start outside, while McMillon, O'Brien and McIntyre rotate at safety. The Steel Valley product Brookins has potential to see the field after redshirting last season. Gandy and Biglow are the likely slot candidates at cornerback.
McMillon led the team with 105 tackles, and McIntyre was second with 85 tackles last season. That largely came from the Panthers' inability to stop the run, but that also shows the run-stopping capability they have. McIntyre had seven passes defended last year, as well.
McCarty is a recent add from Eastern Michigan who will be more of a weapon on special teams. He was third in the nation in special-teams tackles in 2022.
• SPECIALISTS
Depth chart: PK Ben Sauls (R-Sr.), PK Sam Carpenter (R-Fr.), Franco Fernandez-Enjo (R-So), P Caleb Junko (R-Jr.), P Cam Guess (R-Sr.), LS Nilay Upadhyayula (R-Jr.), Nico Crawford (R-So.).
Sauls had a bit of a down year after a steady 2022. Last season he converted on 11 of 16 field goals and 28 PATs. Some of the lack of production was due to the offense's deficiencies, but from an accuracy standpoint Sauls was slightly less accurate when called upon.
The Panthers have struggled to find a solid punter. Junko was the primary punter last season, and he averaged just 41.6 yards per boot. He punted seven touchbacks and 15 inside the 20-yard line, so that can be improved. The Panthers are also trying a new long snapper with Byron Floyd graduating. Upadhyayula was the long snapper at UCONN for all 12 of their games last season, so he figures to be the starter heading into fall camp.
