Pitt ready for tough schedule, Narduzzi says

started one game, a slew of receivers who have much to prove and an offensive line that lost four major contributors. But Narduzzi consistently praised Kenny Pickett, and not just for his performance in the season-ending upset of Miami.

Narduzzi added that he feels much better about his new senior class than the one from a year ago, and again about his defense, which lost only two starters, albeit two NFL draft picks from the secondary. Enter plenty of Bates praise for a second time.

“He’s a passionate, energetic guy that right now I think the kids love playing for him,” Narduzzi said. “I think that’s half the battle. You gotta wanna play your tail off for the guy that’s coordinating your defense. I can’t be in there all day. That’s something I thought I had at Michigan State is the kids would play for me.

“Randy’s got that type of whatever you wanna call it — moxie, he’s got that type of personality, he’s got the ‘it’ in my opinion when it comes to talking and communicating with players. He gets it. Some people don’t get it, he gets it.”

In looking at the big picture of trying to transform the 2017 Panthers into a more successful version this time around, Narduzzi also alluded to being more prepared for a grueling schedule, one with challenges right off the bat with Penn State and Georgia Tech in the first three weeks.

“Ijust know we’re a little bit better football team than we were last year on Sept. 2 or whatever that day was,” Narduzzi said.

Beyond Narduzzi’s overall view from the top, he also hit on several other developments — good and bad — since the end of spring camp in April:

• On tight end Charles Reeves, who was dismissed from the team last week before his redshirt freshman season: “Nothing’s unexpected. There’s always gonna be change. But he’s a great kid. Sometimes you just gotta make decisions, what’s best for the team. He’s not a bad kid, though.”

• On Arkansas graduate transfer tight end Will Gragg, who might be needed even more now at that position: “You guys will love what you see when you watch him run around. He’s a big, athletic guy who’s quiet, smart. Obviously comes from a great family. He’s been fun to have in our program so far. We can’t wait to get him on the field. He’s tough, he can run. I think he’s gonna help us a whole lot. You’re gonna like that kid.”

• On senior tailback Darrin Hall, who Wednesday was named to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list and nominated for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team that honors community service: “Darrin has really grown up. He’s a quiet guy, but quiet with a lot of thunder behind him. He’s exceptionally fast and big. He’s got everything you want as a tailback, and I think what we saw last year is a microcosm of what we could possibly have this year out of him.”