Panthers to rely on freshman class for impact players

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Many of Pitt’s freshmen have grown accustomed to this reality as the 2013 season approaches.

James Conner attended Pitt’s prospects camp as a defensive end last June. This was no surprise, as Conner finished his 2011 high school season with 17 sacks — good enough to earn All-State honors.  

Nevertheless, the freshman from McDowell High School wrapped up his first Pitt training camp over the weekend as the first-team favorite at running back. With the status of Isaac Bennett in question for Monday’s opener, Conner expects to start against Florida State. Though Conner sustained a shoulder injury in the scrimmage that concluded Pitt’s fall camp, Chryst said has has practiced this week and that all signs point to the freshman being ready.

Fifth-year senior quarterback Tom Savage will start for the team’s home opener Sept. 2. Other than Savage, the offensive playing field is wide open. Several players are after the same job as Conner, one of whom is fellow freshman Rachid Ibrahim.

Ibrahim was expected to play safety before camp began. Throughout practices, however, Ibrahim appeared in the backfield alongside the second and third teams.

“We call ourselves thunder and lightning, with me and Rachid,” Conner said of the potential backfield duo.

Checking into camp, Conner was listed at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds.  He’s now down to a healthier 240 pounds, but would like to be at 235 pounds.

“Smash-dash, thunder and lightning, it’s all the same thing. He’s the big bruiser, I’m the quick guy hiding behind the blocks,” said 6-foot-1, 185-pound Ibrahim.

Ibrahim could also potentially be hiding behind the blocks of freshman Dorian Johnson, who was a five-star recruit roaming the halls of Belle Vernon High School just a few months ago. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound right tackle was pegged by many to start on the offensive line in Pitt’s opener.

Less than two weeks away from the opener, Pitt’s coaching staff has a different plan for Johnson. He will most likely start the season behind junior T.J. Clemmings.

“Our plan right now is to keep Dorian in the two-deep and prepare him to play,” said offensive line coach Jim Hueber.

Hueber insisted that Johnson did not lose a starting spot, but that Clemmings could not be passed up. He also hinted at the possibility of Johnson redshirting his first season as a Panther.

“If we get far enough into the season and he hasn’t played a [significant number of snaps], where you’re putting him into the game for real, where he’s gotta take somebody’s place, then we’ll have to make a decision if we can make it with three tackles for the rest of the year,” Hueber said. 

Tyler Boyd could be the most highly touted athlete from Pitt’s 2013 recruiting class. Hailing from Clairton High School, Boyd has also taken a slight turn from his original plans.  

In January, Boyd was reportedly told by coaches that he would receive carries from the backfield and co-star in wildcat formations. Boyd has not yet been given reps from the backfield, but he has worked his way onto the first team at wide receiver, right behind fifth-year senior Devin Street.

Street spoke highly of Boyd at camp.

“He definitely has a lot of confidence. For a freshman to have that much confidence, I think that’s what ups his level of gameplay. He can go out there and play fast and I definitely think he’s going to be a big asset in our offense,” said Street.

Boyd may be ahead of some people’s projections, but he knows there is room for improvement.

“Even on my best routes, I still got something to fix. If I beat the DB, get a good cut and get up the field, there’s still something in there I got to fix, so there’s nothing in there that is [consistently] great,” said Boyd, who has packed on 15 pounds since committing to Pitt, now up to 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds.

“I got to get more endurance, stamina, so I can keep it going through the fourth quarter,” Boyd added.

Most importantly, Boyd impressed head coach Paul Chryst enough that he will line up as a true-freshman starter Monday next to a player on the verge of becoming the program’s career receptions leader. 

“I’ve learned never to be surprised with Tyler,” Chryst said. “He sees himself on a big stage, and he’s going to get that.”

Ibrahim, as well, knows what he has to improve upon.

“One of my main downfalls is picking up pass protection. [I’ve] got to get better at that, otherwise I won’t see the field at all,” Ibrahim said.

Several other freshmen have the opportunity to play right out of the gate. Scott Orndoff, a freshman tight end from Seton-La Salle High School, is expected to see the field because of Chryst’s emphasis on the role of his tight ends.

Another freshman to look out for is Tyrique Jarrett, who lined up against Orndoff during camp at defensive tackle. A product of Taylor Allderdice High School, Jarrett is 6-foot-3, 320 pounds.  

Additionally, Jaymar Parrish, a freshman H-back/fullback from Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa., is in the mix at fullback with juniors Mark Giubilato and Adam Lazenga.

Coach Chryst approves of them all.

“I like this class,” said Chryst. “Everyone’s really different.”