⚡ CFB Dashboard

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

- 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...

- QB/DL: Been watching some of these other ACC teams play and here’s my thoughts on them FSU-They should be better than last year, but they also don’t look good.

- Mason Heintschel will open 2026 as Pitt's starting quarterback, with experienced redshirt senior Holden Geriner as the backup and freshman Corey Dailey positioned as a developmental name to monitor. - Summer arrival Damon Ferguson has progressed rapidly enough to receive an OR designation as the No. 2 running back behind Ja'Kyrian Turner. - Censere Lee and Blue Hicks hold two starting receiver spots, while Malik Knight and Tony Kinsler remain in an OR competition for the third. - Both Pitt defensive-end jobs carry OR designations between Isaiah Neal and Zach Crothers and between Jimmy Scott and Jaeden Moore, with all four expected to play extensively. - Raion Strader and Shawn Lee will start at cornerback, while Cruce Brookins and Josh Guerrier start at safety ahead of an inexperienced second unit.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.