It was apparently a light practice today. Something to be expected after a big scrimmage the day before. Still, there are things worth observing.

There are still several positions up-for-grabs, and some experiments are not yet complete, but the move from safety to linebacker for sophomore Tommy Campbell is looking better every day. Now, he’s working with the first team alongside seniors H.B. Blades and Clint Session.

“I’ve been waiting for this chance since I came here from high school,” Campbell said. “I looked at it as a fresh start for me, moving to linebacker, and I left all the problems I had at safety behind me. I think I’ve become a better player and a new player as a linebacker.

“It doesn’t hurt to have H.B. and Clint beside me, either. They’ve been helping me out a lot. Brian Bennett, Derron Thomas, I can ask any of them about anything. If I have a question, they’ll help me out. Coach says that linebacker is the most experienced part of this football team.”

Campbell’s speed and athleticism is a perfect complement to Blades and Session. The trio likely is Pitt’s most aggressive linebacking corps in years, and each one is a playmaker. Sure, Campbell still makes some mistakes, but they’re fewer and farther between.

“Perimeter plays, I can do real well on them, but I have to do better on the inside runs,” Campbell said. “I make some false steps on those plays, but I’m learning all the time. And I’m going to get better. The best way to fix it is to get more repetitions. Eventually, the mistakes will go away.”

It’s been astounding how quickly Campbell has won the starting position amongst the linebackers.

Coach Wannstedt, showing a little of his old school upbringing, seems more than a little frustrated by some of the injuries.

On Ernest “Mick” Williams:

He doesn’t feel good, he got sick again. We need to get him on the field. He had a concussion, it’s been over a week. We’re expecting him back any day. I was hopeful that he would do something yesterday. He just doesn’t feel right the moment he tries to do something. He came out to do individuals yesterday and he just didn’t feel good.

Considering they didn’t seem to diagnose his concussion initially — just calling it some migraines, there should be no rush to get him back banging helmets.