Let’s run down the specific reasons why offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. believes Pitt will have a different look this season, with speed among the wide receivers and a newfound willingness to throw downfield.

• Start with wide receiver Bub Means, whose goal is to be the “fastest, strongest person on the field.” He has run a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, which may be no better than third-best on the team behind cornerback A.J. Woods (4.28) and redshirt freshman wide receiver Che Nwabuko (4.30). “He understands the system, not only what to do, but how to do it,” Cignetti said of Means.

• Tight end Gavin Bartholomew is “lean, fast,” according to Cignetti, who said the 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior made “a great catch” on the back line of the end zone Tuesday. Then, Cignetti added this: “I’m very impressed (with Bartholomew) and looking forward to using Gavin this season.”

How often does a play-caller reveal what he’s thinking? He must really mean it.

• Kenny Johnson is one of four freshman wide receivers competing for playing time that Pat Narduzzi said is there for them to claim. He’s “very explosive … a big-time playmaker,” Cignetti said of Johnson.

• Cignetti compared another freshman, Zion Fowler-El, to a player he coached at Rutgers 12 years ago, 10-year NFL veteran Mohamed Sanu, who played 10 seasons in the pros and accounted for nearly 5,000 yards through the air. “He has unbelievable ball sklls,” Cignetti said of Fowler-El.

What does it all mean, considering most of these observations are based on what Cignetti has seen in practice, not in games? Most likely, it means a significant change in offensive philosophy.

“Last year, we had an offensive line and a backfield we thought were elite,” said Cignetti, referencing Izzy Abanikanda, who led the ACC in rushing.

“This year is a little different. Those wide receivers are back (including Konata Mumpfield, the leading returning pass catcher with 58 receptions for 551 yards). We’ve developed young wide receivers. The tight end group has gotten better. The running backs know the system, and we have quarterbacks that not only can play in the pocket, they can extend plays.

“The scheme hasn’t necessarily changed a whole lot, but probably how you call the game is going to (change).”

Probably the player on offense most deserving of Cignetti’s respect is quarterback Phil Jurkovec, hand-picked to compete for the starting job this season before Kedon Slovis decided to transfer.

“We were actually bringing in Phil before Kedon left,” Cignetti said. “We wanted Kedon to compete with Phil and, obviously, he didn’t want to.”

Cignetti believes Jurkovec’s “accumulation of reps” over the previous three seasons will make a difference.

“You can just see the experience in the system,” Cignetti said. “First off, we know he’s a great leader. We know he’s tough. He brings that Pittsburgh grit. He’s done such a great job making the right decisions. He understands the play designs. I’ve really been impressed with his accuracy.”

Many of those passes have landed where Means can catch them. A senior from Lovejoy, Ga., he was recently recognized by The Athletic’s college football writer, Bruce Feldman, as one of 101 athletic freaks, players “whose athleticism blew the minds of folks inside their own college football programs.”

Means, whose career began as as defensive back at Tennessee in 2019 before he transferred to Louisiana Tech as a wide receiver, is developing a deep-ball connection with Jurkovec. Plus, Cignetti said his understanding of the offense is growing.

“He brings great energy. We saw it right away in the spring. Not only does he have leadership, but he has knowledge. It really shows you how important it is to have time for development.”

One of the team mottos this season is By Any Means, but Bub Means said he had nothing to do with it.

“Team success is all I want. I don’t care nothing about individual success,” he said. “If we win, everything takes care of itself. I’m looking forward to seeing what we got planned for the season.”

And about that 4.36 clocking in the 40, Means said he got a bad start. “I feel I can run faster than that.”

Looks like he’ll have the opportunity to show it in games — when it matters most.

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