The big star in the first couple padless spring practices: Freshman Jovani Chappel.

When practice got under way Sunday, Chappel knocked three passes away from veteran receivers. Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads was impressed that the rookie did not blow any assignments.

“That’s unexpected, quite truthfully,” Rhoads said. “I’m most pleased with how well he’s picking up the system. He’s worn out the playbook. Quite frankly, he’s moved ahead of some veterans from a knowledge standpoint. He’s extremely self-motivated.”

Chappel began studying film soon after arriving on campus Jan. 3. So he expected to have a sudden impact on the field.

“That’s one of the reasons I’m here, to show what I’ve got early,” Chappel said. “A lot of guys tell me I’m doing pretty good. So, I’m ready to get things really rolling so I can show what I’m all about.”

Chappel did early enrollment after completing high school early. He is battling Redshirt Freshman Irvan Brown (converted from RB), Junior Kennard Cox and Senior Reggie Carter for the open starting CB position. Come the fall, there will be additional competition from Freshmen Aaron Berry and Ricky Gary. Chappel’s biggest issue would be his size — 5′ 8″. The advantages are obviously that he works hard at understanding the routes and not being in a position to get beat. Couple that with his speed and athleticism and he compensates nicely, most of the time, for the height disadvantage.

“My best trait is that I’m a real physical corner and I play smart,” Chappel said.

“I don’t like to blow a lot of coverages. I spend a lot of time in the film room studying what I have to do right first. I think the game starts mentally more than physically.”

Just a few days into spring drills and Defensive Coordinator Paul Rhoads is calling out Sophomore DB Tommie Campbell.

“Given his physical skills and tools, I’d like to see a large amount of improvement,” Rhoads said. “Tommie has to help this football team and he has to help it a number of ways — on special teams and he has to become a regular-down contributor as far as the defense goes. He can easily win a starting position in our nickel and dime packages if he applies himself.”

Joe Starkey provides a capsulized look around the Big East for ESPN.com.

Second-year coach Dave Wannstedt will have an incredibly young team that likely is a year away from contending in the Big East. Wannstedt has a long-term contract and the administration’s backing on his rebuilding job. Some look at the fact that previous coach Walt Harris took the team to the Fiesta Bowl in 2004 and wonder why there is so much patience for Wannstedt. It’s a good question, but it’s also true that Harris’ final team finished in a four-way tie for the conference title in a watered-down, seven-team Big East, barely beat Temple and Division I-AA Furman and lost to Connecticut and Syracuse. Athletic director Jeff Long braced for a drop-off last season — though likely not a loss at Ohio — and isn’t expecting a quick fix.

Oh, there’s no doubt this is long term with Coach Wannstedt.

As stories detailed earlier in the week, the incoming talented receivers were literally looking over the shoulders of the rest of the corps. Now, would someone please tell me what the hell happened to John Pelusi’s right knee?

Sophomore TE John Pelusi had reconstructive right knee surgery and is a long shot to play this season.

Yesterday, I noted a press release saying he might be ready come the fall.

Sophomore DL Gus Mustakas is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but when he returns might find himself moved from DE to DT.

“We’re going to look at him at both spots,” coach Dave Wannstedt said Tuesday.

“But there is a high possibility he’ll be moved inside. We’re looking at all possibilities — him, Vernon Botts. Whoever can make a tackle, we’ll get on the field.”

The veteran Pitt players are finding their second spring practice with Coach Wannstedt a little smoother than the first time round.

“Everybody’s comfortable now, and everybody knows what’s going on,” middle linebacker H.B. Blades said. “Last year, everybody was feeling each other out, but we know what everybody else can do now.

“And that way, we can go out and make everybody else better. And we know what the coaches expect from us, so nothing surprises us now.”
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“It’s going to be easier for everybody, because the system isn’t as new,” Palko said. “But on offense, you’re continually learning. It’s not like we have guys in their 14th year here … It’s a constant learning process of your reads and continuing to progress through the offense so you can master it.

“It’s going to be a little easier, because it’s not so foreign, and we’re all speaking the same language now. We might be at step one or two, but it’s going to be a continual learning process for everybody on offense.”

And what can the offseason rubber chicken speaking circuit in Pennsylvania for Coach Wannstedt entail but discussion of Pitt playing Penn St. (hat tip, Chris). Nothing new. Just the usual rehashing, but worth noting because even in Wilkes-Barre it seems no one really buys the Paterno excuses. Not that it matters right now, but it will after Paterno is gone.