Pitt Football: Only one freshman on 2-deep
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Last fall, Aaron Donald was getting ready for his senior year at Penn Hills High. This season, he's challenging for a prime backup role at defensive tackle for No. 15 Pitt. might play for No. 15 Pitt.
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Nearly all Pitt freshmen will redshirt this season to save a year's eligibility, but that does not mean there will not be a few who make an impact.
"I would expect we will have two, maybe three freshmen play this year," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said.
The biggest reason is that 20 of the Panthers' 22 projected starters are in at least their third season at Pitt, and one of the two who is not -- sophomore tailback Dion Lewis -- is a Heisman Trophy candidate who rushed for nearly 1,800 yards last season.
The Panthers also have plenty of depth at many positions, which means there is little opportunity for a true freshman to get playing time.
If the number is two -- and, as of now, only cornerback K'Wuan Williams seems like a definite contributor -- it would be the fewest for a Wannstedt-coached Pitt team. Generally speaking, about four freshmen have played each season for Wannstedt.
• Game: No. 15 Pitt at Utah, Salt Lake City.
• When: 8:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
• TV: Versus.
Williams, who has come out of nowhere to become one of the Panthers' top corners, likely will have freshman company on the two-deep depth chart by the time the season gets rolling because injuries can change team needs.
Williams was not recruited highly -- only Pitt offered him a scholarship -- because of his lack of height, but he has grown two inches since signing day and now stands 5 feet 10, a good height for a corner.
Beyond that, he was one of the most consistent players at preseason camp, regardless of class. He also has earned a spot on all special teams and might, in a pinch, return kicks.
"He'll be like a fourth or fifth corner," said Wannstedt, who also said two other possibilities to play are defensive tackle Aaron Donald and defensive end T.J. Clemmings.
While both seem ready to play, they line up at positions that are deeply stocked by veterans.
That means coaches would have to commit to using them enough to justify burning their redshirts, and that can be tricky.
First Published August 25, 2010 12:00 am
