With the depth issue at safety (along with the O-line, QB and TE — but those are different topics) Dom DeCicco is already #2 on the depth chart — simply by virtue of showing up. He did get a jump on learning the system and has shown how much he has grasped it.

Pitt coaches alerted DeCicco of the potential to play early, and he responded by attending spring practices and team meetings to learn the defensive scheme.

“They made it known when I came here that I was going to have to learn the defense pretty quick,” DeCicco said. “We were thin at the safety position, so I knew coming in that I was going to have to be 100 percent concentrated all the time. They gave me a head’s up that if I knew what I was doing, I was going to see some time.”

…Even secondary coach Chris Ball was surprised how easily DeCicco gained a grasp of his job and how quickly it has translated into making plays in practice. DeCicco had four tackles, including one for a loss, in Pitt’s first scrimmage, and five tackles and an interception in the second.

“That’s rare,” Ball said, “because there’s so many checks and alignments that he’s got to remember to do. It’s not normal for a young kid to come in and be that aware and learn the defense the way he has.

“I knew he was a pretty good athlete from watching him on tape. As physical as he’s been, that’s always a question mark with those guys. Shoot, he’s not afraid at all.”

DeCicco verballed very early to Pitt and never waivered. As such, he didn’t get a lot of attention in the time leading up to or after signing day. If he keeps up the way he has started, he’ll be getting plenty of attention.

The depth chart won’t be given any official form until after the scrimmage on Wednesday. One area that will be of great curiosity will be how the depth chart looks for the wide receivers.

Despite the fact that Hill won’t officially name a starter at Kinder’s position opposite redshirt sophomore Oderick Turner, it has been pretty clear that redshirt junior Marcel Pestano is the front-runner. Pestano was the team’s third-leading receiver last season behind Kinder and Turner and has been one of the most consistent performers in spring practice and training camp.

He has run with the first team almost exclusively since Kinder went down, so assuming he finishes strong, he’ll likely be the guy on opening day.

The Panthers’ other two veteran receivers, sophomore T.J. Porter and redshirt sophomore Cedric McGee, also figure to play a prominent role in the offense, and Hill said those four players will take the bulk of the snaps at receiver.

Freshmen Aundre Wright and Maurice Williams will get opportunities.

It feels like there are all these opportunities for the offense with the talent at tailback, WR and TE. So much, though, will be riding on what happens with the O-line. It just keeps coming back to the line.