Jul. 30—Pitt's 3-9 record from a year ago was only the second losing season among coach Pat Narduzzi's nine.
He's second all-time in victories (65) to Jock Sutherland (111), and he's served longer (2015-present) than all but two Pitt coaches since 1890 (Sutherland and John Michelosen).
Nonetheless, there has been minimal overall improvement from a win/loss perspective. Narduzzi's 65-50 (.565) record is only slightly better than the 63-52 mark (.547) during the previous nine seasons under coaches Paul Chryst, Todd Graham and Dave Wannstedt (2006-2014).
Yet the expectations remain high, personally to Narduzzi and externally to fans thirsty for another championship.
Training camp opens Wednesday on the Beano Cook Fields on the South Side, and Narduzzi still has plenty to prove. For the moment, let's set aside how he overhauled his offensive staff and allowed coordinator Kade Bell to change the way game plans are constructed and plays are run. That's enough pressure all by itself.
On another front, the reputation of Narduzzi and his staff from a recruiting standpoint is at stake this season. Just how well did Pitt take advantage of its ACC championship in 2021 and the two subsequent Top 25 finishes (No. 13 in '21 and No. 22 in '22)?
Several members of Pitt's 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes will receive significant playing time this season. If they step up and play well, Narduzzi will avoid his third losing season.
Here is a look at several of those players, including some who signed three weeks after Pitt's victory against Wake Forest in the '21 ACC title game (the '22 class) and a group that committed in the last six months of 2022 when Narduzzi was flashing his championship ring proudly on recruiting visits:
Kyle Louis, linebacker ('22) — Louis committed to Pitt two days after the 2021 victory against Clemson at Acrisure Stadium when another linebacker, SirVocea Dennis (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. Louis is a strong candidate to start on the outside. "Kyle Louis is going to be unbelievable," Narduzzi said last week on the ACC Network.
Ryland Gandy, cornerback ('22) — He's the only member of the cornerback group assured to be atop the coaches' depth chart at the outset of camp. In other words, he is Pitt's best player at a position that is always the most difficult to fill.
Sean FitzSimmons, defensive tackle ('22) — Like Gandy, he committed to Pitt in the spring of 2021 and remained solidly in Narduzzi's corner while Pitt was winning 11 games that season. The Central Valley graduate is expected to play a crucial role in rebuilding the interior of the defensive line.
Ryan Baer, right tackle ('22) — Baer was a prized recruit, committing at the outset of 2021 training camp when there was excitement over the return of Kenny Pickett. He will start at right tackle this season, just like he did last season.
B.J. Williams, guard ('23) — He was the first first-year freshman since Dorian Johnson in 2013 to start on Pitt's offensive line. Put him in the category with Baer. If the two of them improve, the line could become a strength.
Jesse Anderson, safety ('23) — He is the youngest of Pitt's strong group of safeties. If Anderson continues to progress, coaches will find a way to get him on the field.
Cruce Brookins, safety ('23) — A Steel Valley graduate, he fits into the category with Anderson: too good to leave on the sideline. Brookins will help this season, or all the praise directed at him in the spring was just words.
Kenny Johnson, wide receiver ('23) — He was honorable mention All-ACC as a return specialist, but this could be a breakout season for the sophomore from York. He will be expected to catch more than the 15 balls he snared in 12 games (three starts) last season.
Lamar Seymore, wide receiver ('23) — He falls in line behind Konata Mumpfield, Daejon Reynolds, Johnson and transfers Censere Lee and Raphael Williams on the depth chart. Kade Bell's offense will have plenty of balls in the air, and Seymore will have the opportunity to get his hands on more than a few.
Braylan Lovelace, linebacker ('23) —There will be a place for the Leechburg graduate on coordinator Randy Bates' defense because he learned his lessons so quickly last season as a freshman. His development as a sophomore will be a key to the season.
Rasheem Biles, linebacker ('23) — There already is a place for Biles in the Pitt record book after he tied a school record for blocked kicks (punts) in a season (three), joining Vernon Lewis, Greg Romeus and Andrew Taglianetti.
Jordan Bass, linebacker ('23) — At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, he has the imposing figure of a disrupter. Even if two of them aren't regular starters, Bass, Biles, Lovelace and Louis will be expected to make plays while filling the flanks around senior middle linebacker Brandon George.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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