Pitt notebook: Izzy Abanikanda tops depth chart at running back

It’s only a two-letter word, but “or” speaks volumes when Pat Narduzzi places it next to a player’s name on the Pitt depth chart.

It means no one has stepped forward to claim the starting job and the competition will continue.

That said, it was a mild surprise when Narduzzi did not use the word “or” when he put Izzy Abanikanda’s name atop the depth chart at running back. After all, coaches and players have crowed about the five talented running backs all summer.

“I think I forgot to put that (‘or’) in there,” Narduzzi said, laughing.

Kidding aside, Narduzzi has — for the moment — bestowed upon Abanikanda RB1 status. But that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten about RB2 Rodney Hammond Jr., RB3s Vincent Davis and C’Bo Flemister (there’s an ‘or’ there) and Daniel Carter.

“He’s been really steady, so we’ll find out,” Narduzzi said of Abanikanda. “Again, doesn’t have an ‘or’ right now. I didn’t forget. He came out of fall camp looking really good.”

Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. pointed to Abanikanda’s “decisiveness and flatout speed where he can hit home runs.”

Narduzzi added this warning:

“I’ll tell you what, don’t get comfortable because those other guys are really good, too,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent in the backfield. We’re going to find out on game day. They can look talented against our defense, in a drill period. But, for me, it’s Thursday, 7 p.m. We’re going to find out who is that guy.

“We feel comfortable with all those guys in the backfield that not only can make yards after contact, they can also protect the quarterback.”

Other ‘ors’

Narduzzi used five other ‘or’s on his initial depth chart, and only once with a starting position (defensive tackles David Green and Devin Danielson). The others are at defensive end (Dayon Hayes and Nate Temple), tight end (Kyi Wright and Karter Johnson), strong safety (Judson Tallandier and Javon McIntyre) and punt returner (M.J. Devonshire and Jaylon Barden).

Other depth chart notes: Sophomore Cam Guess, the backup to punter Sam Vander Haar, will be the No. 1 holder. Abanikanda and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield are the leading kick and punt returners, respectively. Mumpfield, Bub Means and Jared Wayne earned the starting nods at wide receiver.

Did Pickett put pressure on Pitt?

Among the interested spectators Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium will be Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, who all but guaranteed a Pitt victory. Asked to name a winner, he predicted Pitt 31, West Virginia 10.

Narduzzi laughed about it, but he noted, “Kenny should know better. Have to text him. He can do that now. He’s in the NFL.”

Of course, outside predictions — and Pickett is officially an outsider now — mean nothing to Narduzzi.

“I ignore all that noise. Heard that (Sunday) night. My son might have told me or I was told (Monday) morning.

”Kenny hasn’t watched any (Pitt or West Virginia) tape, OK? He’s watched other tape, I’m sure.”