Pitt Depth Chart Reactions: One RB Separates
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers released their first depth chart of the 2022 season this week, ahead of their season opener vs. the West Virginia Mountaineers. With so many starters returning from last year's team, there weren't many surprises, especially after Kedon Slovis was publicly anointed as the starting quarterback last week, but there were some final position battles to shake out.
Here's what stood out from Pitt's inaugural depth chart.
Running Back
Every Panthers player and coach has maintained that they have as many as five rushers who are good enough to run the ball for them this season, which makes it all the more surprising to see Israel Abanikanda as the clear running back one on the initial depth chart.
It would have been no surprise if Narduzzi had thrown an "or" or two in between Abanikanda and the backups after he, Rodney Hammond and Vincent Davis all surpassed 500 yards on the ground last season, but he held back. When pressed to name a top or leading back among the crowded crop or rushers, head coach Pat Narduzzi always deferred to Abanikanda, citing his explosiveness and consistency as reasons why.
Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said they have Abanikanda as the top back for now because of his speed and ability to "hit home runs". He's also listed as the Panthers' top kickoff returner.
Cornerback
A.J. Woods will be opposite Marquis Williams at cornerback when J.T. Daniels and the Mountaineer offense take the Acrisure Stadium turf for the first time on Thursday night. Last year's top cover corner Damarri Mathis is now in the NFL and he left an open competition for snaps between Woods and M.J. Devonshire.
Like with the running backs, I expected the Pitt staff to keep WVU guessing and put an "or" in between Woods and Devonshire, who both had strong camps according to their coaches. Instead, Woods gets the top spot and Devonshire is listed as Williams' understudy.
Quarterback
Slovis had already won the starting job and Nick Patti was solidly his backup by the time the first depth chart came out, but there was still a battle to be settled down the line.
Nate Yarnell beat out Dartmouth graduate transfer Derek Kyler for the third string quarterback job this camp, which wasn't a given earlier in camp. Yarnell had been working his way back slowly from an offseason injury and had a lot of ground to make up after not participating in spring drills.
Right Tackle
Gabe Houy has been sidelined with an achilles injury, according to Slovis, but he appeared along the top line of the depth chart at right tackle. That is a sign that Houy's recovery is moving in a positive direction as the Panthers near kickoff.
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