New WR Coach Tiquan Underwood Letting Pitt Football Returners Help Him Adjust

Newly-minted wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood has had to lean on some returning Pitt Panthers as he transitions to a new job.

PITTSBURGH -- Tiquan Underwood was dealt a difficult hand when he moved from Rutgers to become the Pitt Panthers' new wide receivers coach. The team's top pass-catcher, Jordan Addison, decided at the conclusion of spring ball that he wanted to transfer, stripping the Panthers of perhaps their best returning player. 

Underwood still thinks his group of receivers is deep, talented and capable of overcoming that loss, but it was nevertheless a rude welcome to a new job and environment. Addison's departure left a gaping hole in Pitt's wide receiver room, one that figured to be among the best in the country. It's taken a collective effort to regroup and refocus on the coming season without Addison. 

"Yes, it was together for sure," Underwood said. "I feel like the players did a phenomenal job in the summer program, working out with Coach [Stacciotti] and his staff. And the guys who were here in the spring were bringing the other guys along, get those guys up to speed."

Underwood singled out senior Jared Wayne, who served as an excellent second option for Pitt's record-setting 2021 offense. Older and with some valuable experience under his belt, Wayne helped Underwood adjust to his new job and is now taking on an important position at the head of the position group. 

"[Wayne's] done a phenomenal job taking that leadership role. you can sense it. The guys are really listening to him, following him and anytime we do a drill, he's the first guy at the line. He's just professional and I think he's only going to help our group grow."

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

Practice Takeaways: First Look at Pitt Football in Pads

Wednesday Pitt Football QB Notebook: Battles Down the Depth Chart

Pitt Football Dons Pads for First Time of Training Camp

Pitt LB Shayne Simon Talks Transfer, New Home

Pitt Football Opener vs. West Virginia Sells Out on Primary Markets

Pitt Football's Calijah Kancey, SirVocea Dennis Land on Lombardi Award Watch List

Transfer Quarterback Kedon Slovis Feels Welcome With Pitt Football

Pat Narduzzi Claims Pitt Football Was 'Violated' by Lack of NIL Regulation

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt