The 2016 Pitt football team will boast three of the nation’s finest players at their respective positions according to Athlon Sports.
Senior offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty, senior defensive end Ejuan Price and sophomore safety Jordan Whitehead were named preseason All-Americans in the recently released Athlon Sports College Football Preview.
Bisnowaty (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) was named a second team All-American. He has been a fixture on Pitt’s offensive line, making 30 starts and paving the way for two 1,000-yard rushers during his career. Bisnowaty was an All-ACC performer last year and enters his final campaign as a leading candidate for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, presented to the league’s top offensive lineman.
Price (Rankin, Pa./Woodland Hills) was a third-team All-America selection. Last season he was one of college football’s most disruptive players, compiling 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Price led the ACC and ranked eighth nationally with an average of 0.88 sacks per game. He was a first-team All-ACC selection and finished third (tied) in the media voting for ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Whitehead (Aliquippa, Pa./Central Valley), who is featured on the regional Athlon cover, was a third-team All-America pick. He enjoyed a decorated debut season in 2015, earning ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and consensus Freshman All-America honors.
Whitehead led Pitt in tackles with 109 stops (the most by a true freshman in school history) and added six tackles for loss, a sack assist, six pass breakups, one interception and a fumble return for a touchdown (22 yards against Navy in the Military Bowl). He was also utilized as an offensive weapon and averaged 10.2 yards per rush, carrying 12 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Villanova
Pedo State
Marshall
Virginia
VA Tech
Duke
Syracuse
Toss up games:
Georgia Tech
Miami (depending on how their season has played up to then)
James Conner
Dorian Johnson
Alex Officer
Scott Orndorff
To add to Emel’s list of possible wins:
UNC – why not? BIG revenge game – our QB returns and their’s does not.
OK State – I would not count HCPN out – could be his FIRST signature win against a top 20 team.
Clemson – we may see them twice – I’ll give the first game to the Tigers at HOME as they will probably be playing for a NC playoff spot. BUT, game two on a neutral site (ACC championship game) with our HC getting a second chance makes me ask, “why not?”
When I was at Pitt in the early 80’s, we did not have access to the info we have at our fingertips today. But I remember the expectations were always high for Pitt FB.
I want to be optimistic about Pitt FB – it’s fun, entertaining and JUST a game.
Double digit wins are possible. Pitt has the makings of a storybook season IF all the pieces fall into place.
Why not?
The QB who just decomitted from Temple and Devin Street’s younger brother (also a WR) are supposed to announce in the next couple weeks. Both are high on Pitt.
On the other hand, looks like we will again have to wait like last year before some of the bigger commits announce (Hamlin, Hill, Gilbert, Pugh) … not to mention last minute additions (Camp, Watts, etc)
One of the biggest recruits this year, Donovan Jeter, is visiting the the likes of Ohio State (twice) Alabama, UCLA etc so he may not be a shoo-in.
According to this article we are commenting on, all 3 Pitt players that earned AA recognition are from the 412 area code (Pittsburgh area for those challenged by #’s). That should get Donovan’s attention.
Another attention getter should be 412 HS kids to Pitt and then to the NFL. A. Donald, T. Boyd and next up J. Whitehead…
This staff now has something to sell.
HTP!
But what the hell, National Champions? Why not?
In my mind the best way to screw up a decent HS QB is to play him way before he’s ready. I don’t care what sort of physical skills MacVitte has, or doesn’t have, with only one year starting in HS he needs to sit for at least a year.
That’s even if we may lose games with the other QBs playing.
And remember, MacVitte chose to NOT enroll early and attend the spring semester and spring practices. He could have graduated HS early but said he wanted a full year – which I think is an excellent thing to do BTW. Play him too early and he’ll in no way be ready for the big stage and it would hurt him in the long run.
The Marshall game is at Heinz on October 1. Marshall plays Louisville the week before us at home in Huntington; so they will be accustomed to playing the big boys and that game will be a big time trap game for us.
“No way” is a pretty damning and specific statement. Instead of Pitt’s record being 0-0 right now, you two are say Pitt is 0-2.
I say “B.S.” – play the games. Didn’t App St beat Michigan a few years ago. “No way” –
Didn’t UNC almost beat Clemson in the ACC championship game? UNC for goodness sake – a team Pitt should & could have (but did not) beaten the past 3 years.
Didn’t OK State loss 3 straight games to end the 2015 season? Mind you those loses were to Baylor, Oklahoma and Ole Miss (Cheaters). OK State beat wvcc by one TD and Iowa State by 4 points. Please don’t tell me Pitt can’t beat these teams…
Actually, you can tell me all you want. But until the Pitt fans begin “supporting the team”, HCPN & company have a steep hill to climb.
HTP!
Still – we haven’t won a big game yet with Narduzzi – given his only one year so far – and I think we’ll beat a higher ranked team this year… but I get scared of those ‘lesser’ teams who are really pretty good.
I just found out I have to go to a wedding – in PGH – on Sept 3rd – the Villanova game. However, I’ll be staying at the William Penn if anyone wants to have drinks…
Yes, he is HCKS’s son.
Already lost 3 to to the Domers and one to Pedo. Mike Vucovan said he expects a couple Pat Signals this weekend. Kenny Pickett 3 star QB from Jersey is a good bet.
Little bits and pieces of info coming out every other day on all sorts of things, getting us one day closer to season!!
We need to bite either OSU or PSU with our ooc. I do think NC is winnable for sure this year without their dual threat qb. The dog days have hit the football jibber jabber.
I hope the coaches are getting energized during a slow down.
When the coaches ask a non-scholarship transfer WR change positions and he immediately moves to QB2 ahead of every other scholarship QB on the roster – I think it speaks volumes about who the backup is gonna be this year.
I think this season boils down to two things: 1.) can the running game win TOP by wide margins (I think it will); and B.) Can the DL put consistant pressure on opposing QBs so our DB aren’t left in coverage as long as they were last year.
Ask Appalacian State if they had anywhere near the talent of Michigan when they beat them at The Big House some ten years ago. Funny how the mind works like that. First you have to believe, then work towards a shared vision, all of a sudden the magic happens and the impossible becomes, not only possible, but becomes history once the improbable is a fact.
Never say something won’t happen simply because it is improbable. That’s a loser attitude. Until Clemson proves me wrong, we have just as much the opportunity win a game against Clemson as they do over Pitt. Not foolish thinking, just positive thinking. Otherwise you have already accepted defeat prior to taking the field.
But keep in mind that Clemson has “arguably” the BEST Quarterback in College Football.
And it’s a STRONG argument.
That is one of those variables that can turn a game. You never know.
But me as a fan that was born in ’76 and started watching football at the end of the Foge era, it’s hard to not look at the glass half empty as a Pitt fan at times. Don’t get me wrong I still am at every home game and one road game every year rooting my ass off. But Pitt has been breaking and ripping my heart out my entire life as a fan.
If we can get back to the top 25 consistently and contend for the Coastal title, then expectations throughout the fan base will begin to rise.
Wait, we did (for only a brief moment) hit the top 25 last year and up until the UNC game on the Thursday night (that OC Chaney lost), Pitt was contending for the Coastal division total.
This team is getting close – I believe the holes on the starting line-up will be filled this year. The real holes will be on the depth chart.
HTP!
Do you get that feel now with the current state of affairs?
ACC $$$ pouring into the Pitt coffers. A Chancellor that is young and energetic who bleeds Blue & Gold. A new AD that is on board with the current administration to get Pitt’s athletic priorities back to seeking excellence & most of all a new football coach that grew up a couple hours outside of Pittsburgh who might actually consider his current position as a destination job if he continues to get the money and administrative support that he desires.
I’m loving the Pitt Script coming back full force! Pitt vs. penn state just warming up for a new 4 year in state rivalry resurrection. Recruiting that is beginning to prove that if you are aggressive enough in your efforts that some of those coveted blue chippers will believe in your vision and join in making it a reality.
This is what I’m I see right now. The hopelessness and frustration that has been the norm for Pitt fans for decades is quickly evaporating. What is required now is a fan base that is willing to believe in what Narduzzi & Co. Are striving to produce. No lack of commitment in these guys. It’s time for for us beaten down fans to rise one more time to support this effort.
This time is different. I can feel it. Maybe not quite the exceptional seasons from the late 70s just yet but the Conner factor is going to be a force to be reckoned with. This team does have enough talent now to pull off an upset or two. A win over the likes of teams like OK St., penn state or UNC are to be expected in my opinion this season. This team has that potential NOW. Clemson might be a reach for now, but even that is not impossible.
The Panthers have pulled off some big improbable wins in the past with a lot less ammunition loaded in their magazines. Remember 13-9?
The new Narduzzi Era is at hand. The past is past. The future is now. Believe! Hail to Pitt!
While I remember 13-9, I also remember , I also remember way to many epic fails.
If we can keep Barkley from running all over us, I will probably join the bandwagon. But for now, I am looking at a seven win season.
I can’t think of a more frightful thing for a QB to see, than JC lining up across the line, licking his chops! We can dream, can’t we???
This incoming recruiting class is going to be leaned on heavily next year with the exodus of all of those seniors for sure! There are some difference makers coming up like Hamlin, Hill and Clark but not enough yet to just reload like elite programs do. This is why Narduzzi’s current recruiting efforts must be successful. 2017 recruits will be needed to contribute at key positions. More LBs, defensive line depth, tight ends, plenty of help needed.
Early playing time is extremely attractive to 5 star blue chip recruit IF the team he commits to is seen as a true up and comer. Exactly why this season has to have a win or two over opponents that Pitt is NOT supposed to beat on paper.
It is not going to require a lot of heavy lifting really. Just beat penn state and one win over the likes of a OSU, UNC, or Miami should suffice. Of course we can’t lose the ones we should win either, that just can’t happen. 8-5 with a win in our bowl game gives the needed MOJO to substantiate faith in new blue chip recruits that Pitt is Lit and will soon be IT, with their help.
Small steps forward will do it.
Doc, we may very well improve this year, time will tell, but it may be difficult to judge improvement given the step-up in schedule. It may take some time to fortify that front 7 though… And we could really use an upgrade at the CB position. I’m hoping one young corner, perhaps Hamiln, will win a spot. But honestly, and this is really dreaming… I’d love to see TWO young corners win starting jobs. I know unrealistic, but that would be my ideal for this year in terms of upgrade hopes.
