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Stephen Thompson's Pitt football chat: 08.12.25
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Stephen Thompson
1:00
Good afternoon, thanks for joining me for another Pitt live chat. Will try to get to as many questions as I can -- lots of good ones already in here.
Guest
1:00
Does the D Line appear as it's ready to take it to the next level?  Last year, they were quietly disappointing.  I love the young guys. But down the stretch, much like the OL, the unit faltered.
Stephen Thompson
1:02
I am pretty confident they will. Last year represented a step forward for that unit after a really down year in 2023. The key will be finishing plays -- there were a lot of pressures that didn't turn into sacks or tackles for loss. We've heard good things about Jaeden Moore and Joey Zelinsky looked good in the scrimmage last weekend from my view. Returning defensive tackle group is deep and Jimmy Scott has looked strong in camp so far.
Guest
1:02
Pitt received votes in the AP top 25. What should we make of that? Does Pitt having two players in the ESPN preseason All American team increase those paying attention to the team?
Stephen Thompson
1:04
I wouldn't glean a whole lot from the top 25 poll. It was some more attention than I thought they'd get, but still largely meaningless. And Louis and Reid appearing on those lists does generate some national attention, but mostly in a "Hey, why didn't this team win more games with two All-Americans?" sense.
Rob
1:04
How was Pitt able to hold onto Kyle Louis? He seems like one of the top defenders in the nation.
Stephen Thompson
1:06
I'll cite a story I wrote last year on Louis, and a fantastic conversation I had with his high school coach, Rae Oliver.

“'This is the year of poaching and the portal,' Oliver said. 'Do you know how many schools have come and tried to get Kyle?'

Oliver felt he owed it to Louis to share that information and let him make his own decision with it. But Louis responded quickly and emphatically — 'Hell no. I’m staying where I’m at.'

'From then on,' Oliver said, 'I told everyone else who came calling to kick rocks.'"

I'd also assume there was fair pay bump included to reward Louis' loyalty. He also told me at ACC Kickoff  in July that he believes Pitt can develop him to the point that he can count on a larger payday in the NFL.
Guest
1:07
It sounds like Holstein hasn't had a great camp. How much time do you think Gonzalez and/or Heinstchel will see against Duquesne and C Michigan?
Stephen Thompson
1:09
This is a good question. Holstein has not blown my untrained eye away during the portions of practice I've seen, but through conversations with a couple different people (and not just players and coaches) I've learned he's looked a lot better behind closed doors when team drills are being run. You will probably see the backups in those games as the scores get noncompetitive, not because Holstein is struggling.
Mitt
1:09
Hi Stephen,What do you feel is the biggest position of weakness right now and what is you early record prediction and ACC finish?
Stephen Thompson
1:13
I'd say the secondary, especially cornerbacks. It wasn't a great group last year, and they lost the best of the bunch in Ryland Gandy to the transfer portal. Surrendering so many big plays in the passing game was a major issue during the second half of the season. That said, I like what Rashan Murray and Shadarian Harrison can bring.

Right now, I'm sitting at 8-4 for the regular season, which probably won't land them much higher than 7th or 8th in what I expect to be a really deep ACC this year. But the ceiling is as high as 10, in my opinion, and the goal should be 9 victories before a bowl game.
H2P Man
1:13
Who is in the lead for the  DE position opposite the Bear?
Stephen Thompson
1:14
Jaeden Moore and Blaine Spires, a pair of transfers, seem to be battling for that other starting spot. But they will rotate a lot and I've liked what I've seen out of another transfer, Joey Zelinsky. Maverick Gracio has generated some fall camp buzz too.
JR
1:14
Status of the underfunded Victory Heights project? Thank you!
Stephen Thompson
1:14
From director of athletics Allen Greene last week: “It's still coming along. I mean, it's a beautiful facility. And I can't wait for that building to open. Hopefully our student athletes and coaches will be in there here in the next few months and then they'll have an official brand opening at some point in time. We're still working through that, but it's on schedule, it's on budget and it's an asset to our entire university.”
Guest
1:22
The offensive line has been an issue in recent years. Assuming they stay relatively healthy, do you think they can be better this year?
Stephen Thompson
1:25
Health has really been the biggest issue that unit's faced over the past two seasons, but the addition of three upperclassmen transfers, all with starting experience, was huge for insuring them against injuries.

Now they've just got to figure out what position everyone will play -- be on the look out for a story on that later this week.
KDub
1:30
Is depth at running back a concern?
Stephen Thompson
1:34
It is. By my count, five of the nine running backs on the roster are "banged up" in some capacity and three are expected not to play at all this season.

Pat Narduzzi floated the idea of wide receivers Tyreek Robinson and Kenny Johnson taking some snaps in the backfield. He also said linebacker Braylan Lovelace is itching to carry the ball, but I think the situation would have to get pretty dire before that becomes a real option.
KDub
1:36
Do you see any true freshmen pushing for playing time this year?
Stephen Thompson
1:41
Once healthy, running back Ja'Kyrian Turner (nicknamed Boosie) has a really strong case. Tony Kinsler will be an important part of the receiver rotation. Cornerback Shawn Lee Jr. will certainly play special teams, and it's not impossible to imagine him getting a few defensive snaps either. Same goes for safety Josh Guerrier. And offensive lineman Torian Chester (6-foot-4, 325 pounds) has been far and away the most talked about freshman during training camp, although there's a more narrow path to playing time for him.
JakeJarmel
1:48
Pat Narduzzi seems to be liked and appreciated by his players.  I often times find his comments as flippant and a bit arrogant.  How is he perceived by those in the press?
Stephen Thompson
1:51
I think the same arrogance or flippancy that you mention can be some of the things that endear him to his players and staff. I get the sense he's someone who's annoying if you're competing against him and funny if he's in your corner.

I have a good working relationship with Narduzzi and don't think any of my colleagues who cover him week-to-week would say any different. It helps that he's slightly relaxed some of his more draconian reporting and access policies in recent years (at least since I joined the beat full time).
Stephen Thompson
2:00
Appreciate everyone for sending questions. I've got to cut out here, but hope you'll join me same time next week! Only 18 days until kickoff...
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