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- Pick/market: Here is my game by game prediction for Pitt football: Vs Miami OH W Vs UCF W Vs Cuse W Vs Bucknell W At VT W Vs UNC L At BC W At Miami...

- Defensive captains Braylan Lovelace and Cruce Brookins are the anchors of Pitt's 2026 unit. Lovelace moves from middle linebacker back outside after 80 tackles in 2025 and is expected to become the defense's featured linebacker. - Brookins produced 53 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games during an injury-limited 2025. He added weight to handle his physical style over a full season, and new safeties coach Harlon Barnett already rates him among the best players he has coached at the position. - Pitt's defense noticeably missed Brookins when he was unavailable last year, making his durability a key variable for the secondary's floor. He and Lovelace are also expected to provide more vocal leadership. - Sean FitzSimmons returns with 19 starts over the past two seasons to anchor the defensive line, while Auburn transfer Raion Strader is expected to start at corner after an eye-opening offseason.

- Sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel was elected captain by the full team, reinforcing that Pitt's offense is already being led by him rather than treating him as a developing underclassman. - Safety Cruce Brookins gives the defense a clear on-field organizer; Narduzzi said the unit's presence changes when Brookins is available. - All four captains are homegrown Panthers: Heintschel, tackle Ryan Baer, linebacker Braylan Lovelace and Brookins, a useful continuity signal for a roster built with fewer incoming transfers. - The new fifth-year rule leaves Lovelace and B.J. Williams with 2027 eligibility decisions; Lovelace currently appears inclined to preserve the option unless his draft outlook is strong enough to leave.

- Pick/market: Here were my biggest takeaways from Pitt's first released depth chart of the season.

- Mason Heintschel projects as Pitt's starting quarterback with Holden Geriner retaining the backup job after quickly grasping the offense and helping the second unit contribute to a strong camp. - Ja'Kyrian Turner is expected to lead Pitt's backfield, while Damon Ferguson's multiple long scrimmage touchdowns pushed him toward the No. 2 role and La'Vell Wright offers a larger short-yardage option. - Censere Lee and Blue Hicks project as Pitt's primary receivers, with Lee building a strong connection with Heintschel and Tony Kinsler and transfer Malik Knight giving the offense four credible top options. - Pitt's defensive front enters the opener healthy and deep, with Isaiah Neal, Jimmy Scott, Zach Crothers and Jaeden Moore forming the main edge rotation and transfer Eliyt Nairne emerging as the No. 3 defensive tackle. - Pitt's kicker and punter competitions remained unsettled through the end of camp, making special teams a significant early-season concern despite Sam Hunsaker and Gabe Russo entering as the projected winners.

- Freshman Damon Ferguson is listed as an OR backup behind Ja'Kyrian Turner after an excellent camp and could soon become Pitt's primary reserve running back. - Malik Knight and Tony Kinsler remain in competition at outside receiver, while Censere Lee and Cataurus Hicks have been the consistent first-team options. - Pitt's starting offensive line has remained stable since Penn transfer Netinho Olivieri arrived, and Keith Gouveia returned from injury to earn the backup-center job behind Ryan Carretta. - Returning defensive ends Isaiah Neal and Jimmy Scott share OR listings with higher-upside Zach Crothers and Jaeden Moore, while the tackle rotation centers on Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James, Eliyt Nairne and Jeremiah Warren. - Antonio Chadha won the placekicker job and Gabe Russo won at punter after both competitions remained inconsistent through most of camp.

- Freshman Damon Ferguson turned an impressive camp into an OR listing with upperclassman transfer La'Vell Wright behind starting running back Ja'Kyrian Turner. - Malik Knight and Tony Kinsler share one starting receiver spot, while Bryce Yates is officially behind Cataurus Hicks despite working behind Censere Lee in the slot during camp. - Pitt lists returning defensive ends Isaiah Neal and Jimmy Scott as OR starters with Zach Crothers and Jaeden Moore, while freshmen Josh Pittman and Reston Lehman are the next edge options. - Pitt kept its spring-established linebacker trio intact with Jeremiah Marcelin in the middle between Braylan Lovelace and Alex Sanford. - Transfer Raion Strader is listed ahead of returning standout Shadarian Harrison at cornerback, although the report expects both to play extensively.

- Mason Heintschel now identifies coverages and fronts before the snap, checks runs and protections himself, and retained every play on Pitt's opening-week call sheet after needing the offense reduced as a freshman. - Malik has added 15 pounds and supplies true third-level speed, while extensive summer work on over-the-shoulder tracking translated into an explosive touchdown catch during a major scrimmage. - C.J.'s four years in Kade Bell's system make him the preferred slot option for coverage reads and option routes, with enough vertical speed to make that traditionally high-volume role more explosive. - Freshman running back Damon has already shown 200-pound contact strength and home-run speed in live periods despite arriving in June, putting him on a path to an early offensive role. - Pitt's veteran offensive line was built for athletic wide-zone blocking and pass protection, but Bell identified health and continuity as critical because the developmental reserves remain young.

- New coordinator Cory Sanders said Pitt's defensive identity will remain centered on stopping the run on early downs before unleashing its pass rush, with physicality, speed and first- and second-down execution as the priorities. - Pitt prepared for Miami (Ohio)'s mobile quarterback room by emphasizing pursuit angles, leverage and pad level because the projected starter has limited college film and each listed quarterback presents a rushing threat. - Sanders expressed confidence in Pitt's defensive-line depth and said the staff has tested multiple combinations, with Zach Crothers supplying size and power and J-Mo adding speed, bend and agility off the edge. - Pitt will continue using press coverage that places its corners in isolated matchups, while veteran Cruce's preparation and accountability are helping a younger secondary mature more quickly. - Sanders said Pitt quarterback Mason improved his decision-making and ball security during camp by throwing the ball away or scrambling instead of forcing passes, which contributed to fewer defensive takeaways in practice.

- Intel: The 2026 Pitt football season kicks off Saturday, so it is time to preview this year's team, me and my friend Robbie in the podcast: •Recap last season •Breakdown the position groups •Give our...

- Intel: Go Inside Pitt Football with Pat Narduzzi 📺 @CoachDuzzPittFB sits down with WTAE-TV Sports Director @astockeyWTAE each week, taking viewers inside the program & getting fans ready for the next game.

- Pitt teammates elected quarterback Mason Heintschel, offensive lineman Ryan Baer, linebacker Braylan Lovelace and safety Cruce Brookins as the 2026 captains. - The captain group gives Pitt designated leadership at quarterback, along the offensive line and at both second- and third-level defensive positions.