There’s always something exciting about the freshmen at training camp. They are new, some are much heralded, there are unknown as to what they will actually do at the college level and they add an extra element of hope. Add in a new head coach and half of a new coaching staff that don’t have the same loyalties to the older players, and promising that the best players will play. Well, then the excitement and focus on the freshmen gets brighter.

Freshman Guard C.J. Davis — not to be confused with Defensive Tackle Corey Davis — has taken advantage of John Simonitis’ injury to move up on the depth chart. Ultimately, he wants a shot at starting this season. (Side note that may only interest me, “C.J.” is somehow short for “Emmanuel F.” according to his bio in the media guide.)

Tommie Campbell is doing his best to play his way onto the field this season.

Campbell figures if he works hard from the start of the day to finish that it will pay off with increased playing time — especially as the season wears on and he becomes more acclimated to the imposing speed and size of the college game.

“I feel like I’m ahead of the game right now,” he said. “I do everything 100 percent. I don’t take any plays off or anything like that.”

And what was he expecting before he came to Pitt?

“I thought it’d be a little bit …” There was a long hesitation before Campbell finally was at peace with his choice of words. “… a little bit tougher.

“Everybody’s here for a reason. For me, I’ve been able to handle the situation a little better than I thought.”

I have a feeling he will be a major force on special teams at the least.

A notebook piece observes that Bill Stull appears to be the leader for the back-up QB job, as I noted yesterday.

Paul Zeise would appear to believe that Rashad Jennings and Tim Murphy will be the main tailbacks and/or fullbacks for Pitt at this point.

There is still healthy competition for the starting tailback’s job at Pitt, but as the opener against Notre Dame inches closer, freshman Rashad Jennings and senior Tim Murphy are slowly but surely securing their spots at the top of the depth chart.

The duo increasingly has taken the bulk of the snaps with the first team each day, and both have been consistent performers in preseason camp.
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It is not a shock that Murphy, 5 feet 10, 235 pounds, and Jennings (6-1, 235), are leading the pack. Both are big, bruising backs (which fits in with the Panthers’ power running game) and also good receivers and blockers.

Jennings enrolled in school in January to get a jump on his career, and it paid off after he had an excellent spring. Murphy is the team’s most complete back, so his status never has been in question.

Running Backs Coach David Walker won’t commit and there is still the intriguing use of LaRod Stephens to consider.

“LaRod is a different type of player,” Walker said. “He is so quick and he changes directions on a dime, so we need to find ways to get him into the open field and let him do his thing. I’m not sure how we’re going to use him, but we’re going to use him as much as we can.”

Center Joe Villani seems to be trying to assume a leadership role on the offensive line. Very important as he is now expected to start.

Every day, Greg Lee appears to be getting closer to being back.