Pitt Transfers

[DragonsDoExist]

Sophomore RB Chris James has announced he is leaving Pitt and becomes the 3rd player in 3 days to do so. Opening day starting safety Pat Amara, who ended up losing the job to Jordan Whitehead, announced yesterday he was granted his release. RS FR LB Jamal Davis also announced yesterday his intentions to transfer. All 3 figured to be due to lack of playing time.

[Crimson's Ghost]

The way Narduzzi is recruiting you could tell he anticipated some transfers. Pitt doesn't have many seniors but Pitt is pursuing a lot of guys still.

-- Chris James bums me the most. I thought he would take over the starting job if Conner ever went down but Ollisom passed him up instantly. He battled for carries, but true freshman Darrin Hall got a fair amount of touches and they even used Jordan Whitehead too. Rachid Ibrahim will be back next year and Conner may be also.  It would put James even further down the depth chart. 

-- Pat Amara is directly behind Jordan Whitehead on the depth chart. It just isn't going to work out for Pat if he wishes to be a starter. You have to root for him, he was homeless growing up and took a bus from Philly to Pitt camp just to earn a scholarship. I hope it works out. 

--Jamal Davis was behind the depth chart at outside backer with co-starters Mike Caprara and Bam Bradley who both return next year. He's only a redshirt freshman, so he had time to develop. Pitt is now a little thin at OLB because of this, Kaezon Pugh and Chase Pine may see time as true freshmen because of it. 

[El-Moldo]

Amara started 3 games this year, but Whitehead passed him up in the depth chart. Can't blame some of these kids for making their move. Narduzzi was gracious to each and every one, wishing them the best of luck. No hard feelings what-so-ever.

[KirkHerbstreit]

The way Narduzzi is recruiting you could tell he anticipated some transfers. Pitt doesn't have many seniors but Pitt is pursuing a lot of guys still.

-- Chris James bums me the most. I thought he would take over the starting job if Conner ever went down but Ollisom passed him up instantly. He battled for carries, but true freshman Darrin Hall got a fair amount of touches and they even used Jordan Whitehead too. Rachid Ibrahim will be back next year and Conner may be also.  It would put James even further down the depth chart. 

-- Pat Amara is directly behind Jordan Whitehead on the depth chart. It just isn't going to work out for Pat if he wishes to be a starter. You have to root for him, he was homeless growing up and took a bus from Philly to Pitt camp just to earn a scholarship. I hope it works out. 

--Jamal Davis was behind the depth chart at outside backer with co-starters Mike Caprara and Bam Bradley who both return next year. He's only a redshirt freshman, so he had time to develop. Pitt is now a little thin at OLB because of this, Kaezon Pugh and Chase Pine may see time as true freshmen because of it. 

 

Rarely do you want true freshman getting a lot of playing time at Linebacker.  Trust me, Penn State had two play this year due to injury and they simply are not ready for the speed and power of the game.   I expect Penn State to go through some attrition this offseason, too.  I hope it is not second team guys like this, though, because it makes losing people to injuries much more costly. 

[Crimson's Ghost]

I agree, linebacker is a tough spot to get work as a true freshman.  Although, Pitt currently has six scholarship linebackers returning for next season.  All it would take is one injury, and Pine and Pugh would be on the two deep depth chart.