Forget about Jamie Dixon… what about Elijah Zeise moving to LB??

Mike Vukovcan has this in his daily KDKA blog about two recruits saying thanks but no thanks to Pitt:

**Moving to football recruiting, 2 local players decided to go to Brian Kelly and Notre Dame. After visiting the campus this weekend,  Central Catholic’s David Adams and Kurt Hinish both decided to commit to Notre Dame.

Both players had offers from Pitt but Adams is the real loss.  I’ve said many times that I thought he should’ve been the #1 local target for Pat Narduzzi and his assistants.  Adams is a tough, play-making middle linebacker that could’ve stepped in at Pitt from day one and play.  That’s not going to be the case so it’s “next man up” on the recruiting board.

If you’re a Pitt fan and worried about a lack of recruiting news and local recruits going elsewhere, relax! First of all, it’s March and secondly, Narduzzi and his staff will bring in top end talent.

**A player that I think is a must get for Pitt is Beaver Falls DT Donovan Jeter.  The 4-star player has Pitt high on his list but it would benefit Pitt if they could get a commitment from him soon.

Huh, I just looked at the updated roster for 2016 and noticed that contrary as in the past we now have 20 rsSR and SR players… and all of them are on scholarship. Looks like the Pitt team is growing up after all those players were purged by Chryst over the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Coach Pat Narduzzi Quote Sheet

Opening statement:

“So we got practice number four in, a good practice. A good Tuesday practice, and we got some good meetings in. I think we cleaned up a lot of things from Saturday’s practice. I’m happy with how we’re progressing right now and where we are.”

On moving Elijah Zeise from wide receiver to linebacker:

“He’s a good athlete and I think we need him on defense. He’s a guy that can come in and play quality reps for us and he got a chance to start it today. We want the best 11 players from offense and defense on the field, so we have a chance to try it and we’ll see how it goes. We tried it out in bowl practice and knew he could do it. He actually had three straight tackles in a bowl practice period. He has a nose for the football, you see that on kickoffs and special teams. So we’re going to try it out. I think it’ll go well and you’re going to like it.”

On the challenge of learning a new position:

“That’s why moving him [Zeise] after three practices and not nine is a big help. He’ll give himself over ten practices at the linebacker spot and have a chance to do more when the kids work out over the summer. He’ll be able to prove it, but there’s still so much football to go. He’s got a chance, he’s smart, and Coach Rob Harley does a good job with linebackers so a little extra time and he’ll be caught up in a week. It’ll look like he hasn’t missed a beat.”

“You’re looking to see who’s improved and who’s stayed the same. At this point, after three practices, how much improvement has he made, is it good enough and can he help us with the ball. We know we have a freshman class coming in, and we’re trying to pave the way to find out how we can get our best players in the game. It’s not about what he wasn’t doing at receiver but what he could do for us on offense. He could go back there and not miss a beat, he had three practices on offense so he’s got knowledge on both sides of the ball. He could always move back if we need him.”

On the incoming freshman class:

“I’m anxious to see everybody [regardless of class], to see our best eleven on the field. You look at it and a freshman receiver could maybe play if he’s good enough, but it’s hard for a freshman linebacker to come in and play right away. If you’ve got one sitting there that could maybe end up starting for you, you don’t wait.”

On the challenge of finding a No. 2 quarterback:

“It’s always a challenge, whether it’s a quarterback or receiver, guard or free safety. It’s a challenge but that’s why we coach. There’s a lot of teams in the country trying to find who that No. 1 guy is, so at least we’re talking about that No. 2 guy. Once we find who that No. 2 is, hopefully he pushes Nathan Peterman to make him a better quarterback as well. I think competition is good for everybody.”

(Get back on the phone Coach – find us a transfer QB2)

On specific things he is looking for from defensive back Jordan Whitehead after a successful freshman campaign:

“Overall, just all the tiny little things. Base alignments, sometimes disguising. He was a freshman playing, and a lot of times he did his job but he could have done it a lot better. Athletically we know he’s gifted and has the ability to make plays both offensively and defensively. Just cleaning up the little things and being more efficient.”

On using their best players on special teams:

“No doubt about it, we’re going to play our best players. We’re not trying to give anybody a rest on special teams. I know some people have the philosophy of resting their starters on special teams. It’s a major phase, one third of the game, and we’re going to play our best guys, just like how we had Tyler Boyd returning last year.”

Cornerbacks Coach Renaldo Hill Quote Sheet

On replacing departed senior Lafayette Pitts:

“Fifty starts is always going to be hard to replace, but I think that the guys that we have out there competing understand that there is an opportunity. So you are seeing, whether it be Phillipie Motley or Ryan Lewis, they are out here competing. I think guys understand it. We’re always honest with our guys and we tell them that we’re going to evaluate them hard in the spring. We’ve got some incoming guys that are going to be coming in in the fall. We’re going to get a good look at them so we tell our guys that spring is important. Right now, the guys that we do have here now have been stepping up to the plate, showing us what they can do, and showing us what they can bring to this unit.”

On what sets the cornerbacks apart from each other:

“When you look at [Phillipie] Motley and Ryan [Lewis] you look for speed guys, both of them run under 4.4. When you look at a guy like Malik [Henderson] or Dane [Jackson], you look at guys with size who can use their length. You get a mixture of that and try to see what the right fit is out there. There is a boundary or field guy and we haven’t been looking at that but eventually that does come into play. Right now we’ve been letting those guys go left and right just to see where is the best fit. We want those guys to learn both sides of the field. It’s a great opportunity for them as far as the learning curve and for Phillipie as well as competing. We’re rotating the top three guys: Avonte [Maddox], Motley and Lewis, on a three-man rotation with the group to see how they fit with the rest of the ones that are out there.”

Linebackers Coach Rob Harley Quote Sheet

On the decision to move Elijah Zeise from wide receiver to linebacker:

“It was a collaborative effort from Coach Narduzzi and me. We want to get the best eleven players on the field. He’s athletically gifted and a smart player. He’s going to try and come in and fill the hybrid role and give us some athleticism in the middle of the field. We’re getting him started early and I think it’ll be a good decision.”

On the transition from offense to defense:

“We told him today, to just go out and play, and he did. He has a knack for the football. It’s not that much different than what he was doing at wide receiver. There are some traits that translate over. He needs to go get the football, it’s not day and night. There’s some differences but a lot of it is terminology and plays. The injuries we’ve had have led to opportunities for other players.”

On the ‘hybrid’ role Zeise is playing:

“It’s not a new position and we’re not going to label him as a hybrid guy. When you look at him, and when you look at his skillset that’s just what he is. We had Nicholas Grigsby playing it last year, and he was a guy that could do that athletically and can play in space. Mike Caprara also filled in at the Star spot during the Virginia game and the Duke game and some other games. We’ve got guys that can get it done, it’s just the nature of that position is out in space. It’s a hybrid in the term of his rules and what he will do all game, not so much in his position.”

Linebacker Elijah Zeise Quote Sheet

On switching from receiver to linebacker:

“Coach [Narduzzi] texted me earlier this morning and told me to come in. Honestly, I thought I might have been in trouble for something. I didn’t understand but when I went up he told me he sees a real opportunity for me at linebacker. It’s basically up to me if I want to do it or not and I said I’d give it a try.”

“I’m going to try and be all-in with it. I think that’s the best way to do it. If you’re going to do it, do it 100 percent. I don’t want to have to be thinking about receiver, plays, or routes in the back of my head.”

On which linebacker position he will be filling:

“They’re starting me out at the Star position. It’s the most athletic of the linebackers so that’s where they see me. I think it’s a good fit.”

On the difference between playing linebacker in college and defensive back in high school:

“Back when I was a corner or safety you saw the whole field. You reacted to what was left past the second level. With this, you need to read the tackles, you have to jam guys and be able to get out or get over top of tackles. It’s a lot more involved than I was in high school.”

Cornerback Phillipie Motley Quote Sheet

On the open spot in the secondary:

“There’s a job up in the air, so you need to do whatever you can to take it. Everyday I’m going to go out and compete, and try to make that my spot.”

On his best attributes:

“I’m a speed guy, and I also have length. I feel like I can run with anyone. Playing the field is probably what suits me best and I feel confident that I can cover anyone.”

On the rotation in practice:

“Ryan Lewis, Avonte Maddox and I, we’re all rotating and all getting reps in different spots. We’re all rotating and competing with each other, trying to make each other better. Every day it’s just how we can make each other better, what we can work on to make each other better. So far the rotation seems to be working because we’re all improving every day.”

On the pressure this defense puts on the cornerbacks:

“We’re playing Division I football at cornerback. You have to love the grind. It’s fun. It’s really fun. I wouldn’t call it pressure, but you know you have your person. If you don’t lock your person up, it can mess the whole defense up. It’s all about the mentality of not letting the person in front of me beat me so I’m not going to put anyone else in a bind.”

Cornerback Avonte Maddox Quote Sheet

On his role in the return game:

“Right now, I’m punt returning. We have to pick it up on punt returns and get more yards so we can be the best in the ACC. That’s what we’re going for.”

On the difference between kick and punt returns:

“Punts are way harder. You have to know who is kicking, watch the ball come off the foot and then you have to read the nose of the ball. There is a lot of movement so you have to judge the wind.”

On the importance of playing special teams:

“You are involved in the game a lot more. You have to be ready at any time because anything can happen on a punt return.”

“It’s a good thing to play special teams and it’s important too.”

On filling the leadership role left by Lafayette Pitts:

“I’m new to it but I am getting used to it. It’s fun to be a leader, because if anything happens you need to take it on yourself. For all of the defensive backs, it’s fun because I can teach them new things, talk more, and be more vocal.”

Here is a blast from the past courtesy of E. J. Borghetti: