Surfing the message boards I saw the following on Rivals.com. It is an interesting article put out by SB Nation’s Football Study Hall regarding HC Pat Narduzzi’s defensive schemes at Pitt.
This is the lead into the article and I think he hits the nail right on the head regarding our pass defense:
“The most difficult positions to fill in the Narduzzi secondary are probably the boundary corner, free safety, field corner, strong safety, and star LB (space-backer) in that order.
The latter two positions of strong safety and star are the tip of the spear for this defense, these guys are set to up make plays and put pressure on the offense, which is what defines this scheme. Their aggression and freedom isn’t possible without the play of the former three defenders who have to establish the “no-fly zone” so that the strong safety and star can spend their time hunting down running backs.
As it happens, the Panthers are returning their boundary corner Avonte Maddox, free safety Terrish Webb, and strong safety Jordan Whitehead but are looking for players to step up at field corner and space-backer.”
Well, most likely that field cornerback will be true FR Damar Hamlin after the dust settles during fall camp. At least that is what the pundits (and myself I suppose) think. He’s highly rated at 4*s and had offers from across the country. If we are looking for another, or different, newcomer to take that spot then 4* FR George Hill could fit the bill also. We discuss him a lot on here, our mysterious commenter Pitt of Dreams can’t envision him anywhere but at running back. However, needs must and if the staff wants him there they will put him there.
