Pitt notebook: Young linebackers, including Aliquippa's Cam Lindsey, hope to provide depth

The names Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles and Braylan Lovelace are familiar to Pitt fans as linebackers who made an impact last season as sophomores.

But spring football practice is intended to lay a foundation of depth, and that’s where younger linebackers such as sophomore Jeremiah Marcelin and redshirt freshman Cam Lindsey have an opportunity to earn longer looks when training camp opens in August.

Both come from football strongholds, Marcelin from Miami, Fla., and Lindsey from Aliquippa. Marcelin is competing for playing time in the middle with Lovelace (Leechburg), but he also can play outside.

Lindsey (6-foot, 215 pounds) is backing up Louis, a Sporting News All-American last season.

“I feel like the game for me has slowed down so much,” Lindsey said.

There’s plenty of room for all five players because coach Pat Narduzzi said Thursday — after the 11th practice of the spring — that he wants to find six capable players for the linebacker rotation.

“We have guys who can play all three positions,” said Marcelin (6-2, 235). “We get cross-trained on everything. When the time comes and somebody has to step up, we can step up.”

Marcelin said he’s grown accustomed to the “vocal side” of middle linebacker.

“I’ve grown into that mike position. I’ve become real vocal,” he said.

He also has watched how Louis and Biles conduct their business in meetings, talking about coverages and alignments and how they affect the entire unit — without losing physicality.

“You want to make somebody feel you,” Marcelin said. “That aggression helps fuel the rest of the linebacker room.”

Said Narduzzi: “He’s physical. He gets better every day. He’s got a knack. You need someone to puncture and blitz hard. I see that out of him right now. From what I see, he’s going to earn himself a role on third down, as well.

“If you want to come to Pitt and be a linebacker, you’re playing every down. We never take a linebacker off the field. As a matter of fact, we’re talking about playing with four linebackers on third down. If you have Kyle Louis out there, what do you need an (extra) DB for? He runs. He tackles. He makes plays. That’s a package we’ve had in the past. It looks like we can put it back in.”

Pitt’s general manager

Many football programs around the nation are creating a general manager position to help facilitate NIL, transfers, talent evaluation and the new, inescapable reality — paying players.

Narduzzi said Doug Whaley, an Upper St. Clair and Pitt graduate who has extensive experience in two NFL front offices, handles those duties for Pitt. Whaley is not employed by the athletic department, but he is formally employed by Alliance 412, Pitt’s NIL collective, as its senior advisor of player administration.

“We have a general manager already,” Narduzzi said. “We’ve had one for a couple years now. Doug Whaley has been our guy. We’re way ahead of the curve. We’ve already had a guy who’s taking care of the personnel issues we have.”

Whaley was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pro personnel coordinator for 11 years before he was general manager of the Buffalo Bills from 2013-17. He also is employed in the front office of the XFL.

Transfers find a niche

Narduzzi said transfer defensive ends Jaeden Moore and Joey Zelinsky are looking good so far this spring. A third transfer end, Blaine Spires, is nursing an injury he brought with him from Utah State.

“We’re making sure we don’t mess that up,” Narduzzi said. “They’re all going to come in and play for us this year. They’re playing fast. I’m excited about those three guys.”

It’s no secret that Pitt needs to improve its pass rush. After averaging 49 1/2 sacks from 2019-22, the Panthers managed only 31 and 41 the past two seasons. Narduzzi said his pass rushers missed about 37-40 sacks last season, according to coaches’ video review.

Name dropping

Narduzzi mentioned several players who have opened eyes this spring. Among them is offensive lineman Caleb Holmes, a redshirt freshman.

“His name has popped up lately, just one of those guys who is returning, has figured it out and the lights got turned on there,” Narduzzi said.

Narduzzi also named freshman running back Ja’Kyrian Turner — and not for the first time.

“He keeps getting better every day,” the coach said. “Some of the cuts he’s made, it’s starting to click for him, as well.”

Running backs Justin Cook and Juelz Goff, wide receiver Zion Fowler-El, defensive tackle Isaiah Neal and defensive back Shadarian Harrison are also doing well, Narduzzi said.

Bartholomew’s blocking lessons

Sophomore tight end Malachi Thomas said he paid close attention last season when Gavin Bartholomew was showing him the proper way to block.

“Blocking was definitely difficult. It was something I had to learn,” said Thomas, who plans to bulk up to 240 pounds this summer from 228. “I’m definitely more of a wide receiver than a blocker. I think I can bring both.”

Thomas hopes to some day follow Bartholomew’s career path as an NFL prospect. Bartholomew met with Steelers officials Thursday in one of their pre-draft visits.

Two years ago, Thomas caught 30 passes for 542 yards and eight touchdowns, playing only about half of most games for undefeated Georgia state champion Thomas County Central.

“I probably could have had a 100-yard game every time,” he said.

Thomas could be the No. 1 backup to tight end Jake Overman this season.