Pitt notebook: Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge preaches accountability

Charlie Partridge leads a group of 20 Pitt defensive linemen, the largest position group on the team.

But it’s not the quantity that most intrigues Partridge, who is in his sixth season on Pat Narduzzi’s staff after five years earlier this century under Walt Harris and Dave Wannstedt.

It’s the experience and the accountability that come with it that excites him.

“I’m able to have those next-level conversations (with players),” he said. “I’m excited about where their game is.”

After the fifth of 15 spring practice sessions Thursday, he explained what he expects from his players, especially the older ones. He illustrated what he meant by relating a situation that surfaced Tuesday in practice.

After he made a quick coaching point during a drill, he looked back and didn’t see the older players emphasizing what Partridge meant to the younger players.

“So, I stopped everything,” he said, “and turned back and reminded them our expectation is we are going to coach each other. So, when I make a point where the older guys know what I’m talking about, when I walk away, I better see an older guy hold that kid accountable to the point where he’s teaching him.

“Immediately, they knew what I was talking about. It’s fun that that standard is set right now.”

Hayes’, Kancey’s progress

Partridge said junior end Dayon Hayes (Westinghouse) is rounding into a complete player.

“What’s fun for me is he is putting together effort and technique and knowledge,” Partridge said “When you combine those three things as a defensive lineman, you have a chance for a lot of success. He’s shown a lot more signs of doing all three of those things in the first five practices. He’s really elevated his game.

“He’s already got (video) cutups made of himself. That’s the sign of a guy approaching the game like a pro.”

Partridge said Hayes, who recorded two sacks last season, was close to several others.

“He’s at that point of his game where he’s fighting for that extra inch and he’ll find it with the way he’s preparing for practice every day,” he said.

He also is eager for tackle Calijah Kancey, already first-team All-ACC and third-team All-American, to advance his game.

“He’s smaller in stature (6-foot), and I have no problem with that and neither will the next level as we know from another guy whose name is right there,” Partridge said, pointing to the front of the Aaron Donald Football Performance Center where Pitt players train.

“I’m not comparing him to Aaron (6-foot-1), but he has some of those skill sets.”

Partridge said when Kancey starts to consistently split the double teams opponents throw at him, he will become “special for a while in this game.”

“He’s definitely done it. He’s proven he can do it.”

What about the QBs?

One-third of the way through spring drills, Narduzzi isn’t ready to publicly evaluate the competition involving quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti.

“It’s so early to even start discussing that. I’m probably going to stay away from it right now,” he said.

Narduzzi said everyone looks good, not a surprising remark from any coach at this point in the spring.

Asked specifically about Slovis, Narduzzi said, “He’s been smart. The ball comes off his hands. He’s a good passer.”

Narduzzi suggested the competition might be more balanced, based on the presence of first-year offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., who doesn’t have a history with any of the quarterbacks.

“As opposed to ‘I’ve known for you for three years. I’ve know you for three months,’ ” Narduzzi said. “I think that helps a little bit.”

Linebacker depth

Narduzzi said he’s not worried about his depth at linebacker after backup Preston Lavant entered the NCAA transfer portal this week. “We wish him luck,” the coach said. “Saw it coming probably last fall.”

Also gone via transfer since the end of last season is starter and co-captain Cam Bright, who is now at Washington, and Wendell Davis Jr., who was an important part of the rotation. Former starters John Petrishen and Phil Campbell III exhausted their eligibility after 2021.

“People will say you’re low on numbers, but I don’t feel that way,” Narduzzi said. “Sometimes, you have to pull the weeds in a program and sometimes the weeds die. We’ll find a new one.”

Assuming middle linebacker SirVocea Dennis and Notre Dame transfer Shayne Simon will be two of the three starters, Bangally Kamara, Brandon George, Solomon DeShields and Buddy Mack III are among those competing for playing time. There are seven currently on scholarship, plus freshman-to-be Kyle Louis, who is still in high school.

Mack, a junior, is hoping to follow in the tradition of Oluwaseun Idowu, Campbell and Petrishen who made the successful transition from safety to outside linebacker in previous seasons.

Narduzzi said Mack is making good progress in his quest to replace Petrishen and Bright at the star (outside) position.

“You can see (Mack’s) energy out there,” Narduzzi said. “He’s learning. He loves it. It’s trying to get your best 11 players on the field, somehow some way. We’ll be fine.”

He added that the defensive staff is also “really excited” about DeShields’ progress.