A closer look at Pitt’s two-deep depth chart

After a long offseason, the Pitt football team released its two-deep depth chart Monday morning. The information, which lists the starters and backups for the Panthers’ season opener against Youngstown State on Saturday, elicits plenty of intrigue and speculation.

The following is a position-by-position breakdown of the listings.

Quarterbacks

Chad Voytik will return under center as the starter, a move that appeared inevitable all training camp. Tennessee transfer Nate Peterman is the backup. Barring an injury or a total collapse by Voytik — which seems unlikely given his strong finish last season — Peterman will only see the field in blowouts.

Wide Receivers

Noticeably missing from the two-deep for the team’s first game is star receiver Tyler Boyd, who is suspended for the first game following a summer DUI arrest. Taking his place is sophomore Zach Challingsworth, trailed by freshman Quadree Henderson on the depth chart. On the other side is Dontez Ford, with Elijah Zeise behind him.

Ford has separated himself on the other side of Boyd in the coaching staff’s eyes, though Zeise will likely see the field throughout the season after impressing coaches during camp.

Henderson impressed coaches with his speed and elusiveness after the catch. He is one of few freshmen who head coach Pat Narduzzi said will definitely receive playing time in 2015.

Offensive Line

To no surprise, Adam Bisnowaty and Dorian Johnson will anchor the left side of the line at tackle and guard, respectively. At center, Alex Officer and Artie Rowell are listed as co-starters, but with Rowell’s experience, he will likely start, while Officer will slide over to the right guard spot. Alex Bookser is listed as the starting right guard, though will probably move over to right tackle, where converted tight end Brian O’Neill is listed as the starter.

Running Backs

Unsurprisingly, the reigning ACC Player of the Year James Conner will be the starter.

Conner will take the majority of the carries, while Chris James, Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall — listed in that order after him — will split the rest of the reps. That order could change as the season progresses, but James will likely be the number two for the whole season.

Defensive Line

The Panthers list Ejuan Price and Shakir Soto as the starters at the end spots, though that will change after Rori Blair returns from his one-game suspension and claims a spot. Depth on the line after those three is sparse, with a smattering of unproven players.

On the inside, an injury has kept Darryl Render from the two-deep, though Narduzzi said Render might play week one. While it is unknown when he will return to the field, when he does, he will be the starting three technique defensive tackle. In the meantime, the depth chart lists Khaynin Mosley-Smith as co-starter at the position with Michigan State transfer Mark Scarpinato. Tyrique Jarrett is the starting nose tackle this week, but it wouldn’t be shocking for him and Mosley-Smith to split time there when Render comes back.

Linebackers

Nicholas Grigsby has held the starting linebacker starting job from spring practice and that hasn’t changed, with limited depth behind him. No one has challenged Matt Galambos, too much at the inside mike linebacker spot and will take most of the snaps at that position, with Quintin Wirginis coming in occasionally. The money outside linebacker is the only spot among linebackers where there’s competition, as Bam Bradley and Mike Caprara have gone back and forth in training camp and are thus both listed as starters. Bradley is more physically talented, while Caprara seems to have a better grasp on the scheme. Both will play a lot regardless, Caprara especially, as he’s capable of playing all three spots.

Cornerbacks

Lafayette Pitts and Avonte Maddox were starters for much of last year and they will once again line up opposite each other this season. After Pitts and Maddox, there’s a serious lack of depth, with freshmen Phillipie Motley and Dennis Briggs sitting behind Pitts’ corner spot and Ryan Lewis behind Maddox’s. All three are unproven, though the coaches have spoken highly of Briggs, who moved from running back to corner in the spring.

Safeties

Reggie Mitchell is one of the coaching staff’s favorites, constantly earning praise during training camp. He will return as the starting free safety with Terrish Webb backing him up. Strong safety is up in air, with Pitt listing Pat Amara and highly-touted freshman Jordan Whitehead as co-sarters and placing Jevonte Pitts third on the depth chart. Strong safety was one of the most competitive battles throughout camp with all three playing some first team defense. As the season progresses, though, expect Whitehead and his substantial talent to separate himself from the pack.