Pitt Searching for Next Starting WR in Spring Practices
PITTSBURGH -- Pro Day earlier this week served as a bittersweet moment for the Pitt Panthers. They were proud to watch former players chase their dreams of playing professional football in front of NFL scouts and executives but also reminded that there are some holes to fill in the roster for this coming fall.
One of those positions is wide receiver. Pitt is losing their top pass-catcher, Jared Wayne, to the NFL, along with his 1,063 receiving yards and five touchdowns. That was after two of the team's top reserves - Jaden Bradley and Jaylon Barden That's a big void to fill in if the Panthers want to replicate or exceed their 2022 output on offense.
It's safe to assume that, barring injury, Bub Means and Konata Mumpfield will be two of the Panthers' three starting wideouts on opening day against Wofford. Those two are certainly flawed and their production in 2022 probably lagged behind expectations but they weren't the only ones in the Pitt offense who didn't exactly meet expectations. That said, they got better over the course of the year and have said a year of experience in offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti's system has made things run smoother for them.
That leaves one starting spot and some reserve snaps up for grabs and a foggy outlook on who will end up stepping up to take on more responsibility. Coaches are bullish on the group's progression in year two under receivers coach Tiquan Underwood but there are still questions as to who will fill in around Mumpfield and Means.
One candidate is Florida transfer Daejon Reynolds, a former four-star recruit from Springfield, Illinois. He arrived on campus in June and has impressed with his strong hands and his ability to win jump balls. In one of the Panthers' team periods last week, he caught a touchdown from fellow transfer Christian Veilleux, validating what head coach Pat Narduzzi called a strong open to his time as a Panther. Speed is not necessarily the name of Reynolds' game, which makes him different from some of the other players on the roster.
Another player ready to take a step forward is Myles Alston, a redshirt sophomore who spent all last season as a second-stringer. He has very limited game action but if there's any year for him to break into the rotation, it's this one. He hangs his hat on smooth route running as opposed to any kind of impressive physical skills and will bank on his knowledge of the system to separate him from the rest of the bunch.
There's also a pair of freshmen - three-star recruits and early enrollees Lamar Seymore and Israel Polk - that Narduzzi said are progressing well for their age. Seymore brings a burst of speed and agility, while Polk is a contested catch specialist. Both played for powerhouse high school programs in St. John Bosco and Miami Central, meaning they are no strangers to good competition. That's what's likely helped them
At this juncture, it seems like the third receiver spot will be filled by committee. Alston and Reynolds' experience make them the logical option, but I would expect at least one of these freshmen to get their shot at earning a starting job. I'm partial to Seymore - he has the size and speed to cut it at this level, even as young as he is - but it takes a lot for a freshman to break through and take meaningful snaps in this program.
The question is whether Cignetti is looking for a shot in the arm or a stabilizing presence. I'm willing to bet on the former and an injection of younger talent.
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