Pitt D ready to make its mark in Big East

What do the Walter Camp Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland and Lott Trophies and preseason… What do the Walter Camp Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland and Lott Trophies and preseason all-American candidates all have in common? They are all members of the potentially lethal defense of Pitt football. Now, the nation’s fifth-ranked defense from 2007 looks to instill fear into the eyes of its Big East foes under new defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. Bennett was hired by head coach Dave Wannstedt to replace the departed Paul Rhoads in February. Bennett had served as the head coach at Southern Methodist University from 2002-07. He takes over a squad with returning talent across the board, with its first test coming Saturday afternoon against Bowling Green at Heinz Field. And after a long summer of workouts and camp, Bennett is pleased with where his unit stands. ‘This is my 30th camp, and I think these kids have really had the right focus and the right attitude,’ said Bennett. ‘I’ve asked them individually, ‘What’s different?’ They feel like there’s a confidence that maybe has not been here. ‘I do know this, they’ve worked extremely hard. The things that we’ve done poorly, we’ve corrected.’ The new defensive skipper will have quite an anchor in middle linebacker Scott McKillop. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior broke out last year in his first season as a starter. After watching current Washington Redskin H. B. Blades dominate for two campaigns, McKillop filled the vacancy just fine when Blades graduated. He led the nation in tackles last year with 12.6 per contest. McKillop has garnished the most national recognition on the defensive side of the ball for the Panthers. Several publications have named McKillop as a preseason all-American, while he has also been tabbed as a candidate for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Award and the 2008 Lott Trophy. McKillop doesn’t stand alone on the linebacking core. He will be flanked by returning starters Adam Gunn and Shane Murray. Gunn is also a redshirt senior who attended Kiski Area High School with McKillop. He’s known for his smarts and knack for the ball. Murray came to Pitt as a quarterback but found a home at outside linebacker. He started every game last season. The team’s depth at linebacker is high on athleticism and potential but low on experience and results. The Panthers could fall into trouble if someone gets hurt ‘mdash; which has already happened. Murray tweaked his knee in the last week of camp, leaving Pitt scrambling for a replacement. The club responded with fifth-year senior Austin Ransom, a former impact special-teamer who started camp at wide receiver. The coaches have been impressed with Ransom after the position switch. ‘I had him last spring at safety,’ said Bennett. ‘At the end of spring, I looked at my production chart, and every fourth play he made. He runs a 4.5 [40-yard dash], he’s 215 pounds, and if you watch him, he’s like a little buzz saw out there. Wherever the ball is, he’s there. The Panthers are loaded with young linebackers who are still fighting for backup jobs. Nate Nix, Tristan Roberts, Brandon Lindsey, Greg Williams and Max Gruder headline that group. ‘We’ve got to develop a little bit of depth,’ said Bennett. Wannstedt agreed, adding that there’s still no clear idea for who the backups will be. ‘There wasn’t the clear separation with some of those guys,’ said Wannstedt. The list is so long that Gateway freshman Shayne Hale, one of Pitt’s top recruits, hasn’t received many reps in camp and will likely redshirt. But for all of the attention aimed at McKillop, the real force might be the defensive line. Pitt entered camp two-deep at all four positions on the line, possessing eight athletes who could all start at a moment’s notice. Only defensive end Doug Fulmer succumbed to injury and will miss his second consecutive full season. Despite Fulmer’s hardships and the movement of John Malecki to the offensive line, defensive line coach Greg Gattuso said he has confidence that Pitt’s front four could be one of the best in the conference. Defensive tackle Gus Mustakas returns after taking a medical redshirt last season. While not playing since last year’s second game, Mustakas’ pedigree was enough to have him named to the Outland Trophy watch list. The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman in college football. Mustakas should join Mick Williams to start on the inside. Williams was a star at camp, continuously earning praise from Wannstedt. The starting ends will be Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. Romeus had four sacks last season and was named a freshman all-American by numerous media outlets. Sheard is a true sophomore who had a strong camp to impress coaches and seize the opportunity offered by Fulmer’s injury. Veterans Tommie Duhart and Rashaad Duncan will spell Mustakas and Williams on the inside often and provide ample explosiveness of their own. Tony Tucker has pushed for playing time on the end, with Myles Caragein and Tyler Tkach likely to see the field as well. But don’t forget about the secondary. Kennard Cox and Mike Phillips graduated from last year’s crew, but Jovani Chappel and Dom DeCicco made the effortless transition into starting roles for 2008. Chappel will play opposite one of the Big East’s best corners, Aaron Berry. Berry will also return punts for the Panthers, with the Pitt coaches hoping he becomes a Darrelle Revis-type force as a shut-down cornerback. Senior Eric Thatcher paces Pitt’s secondary. The free safety made 53 tackles last year and has stepped into a crucial veteran leadership role. DeCicco appears to have won the strong safety battle with Elijah Fields, but both will see plenty of snaps. DeCicco mainly played on special teams last year, while Fields missed the whole season after being suspended for violating team rules. Ricky Gary and Buddy Jackson will back up Berry and Chappel. Gary saw significant playing time last year as a freshman, starting three contests. If Jackson continues to develop, the coaches say he might become Pitt’s jewel. Coaches praise him as the fastest player on the whole squad and possibly the most athletic. ‘His deal is focus,’ said Bennett of Jackson. ‘I will never ever question Buddy’s desire to want to play, it’s just that he’s got to be focused.’ That focus is integral for the defense as a whole, in order to meet its lofty expectations for 2008.