Pittsburgh Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
Defense
The Pittsburgh Panthers defense returns just four starters from the 2016 season. Safety Jordan Whitehead mans a secondary looking to improve after surrendering 333.2 passing yards per game a season ago. Whitehead, the former ACC Rookie of the Year in 2015, looks to have a better junior season. He is also another member of the Pittsburgh squad on the on a number of preseason watch lists. He is currently on the Hornung Award, Thorpe Award, Nagurski Award and Bednarik Award watch lists.
Cornerback Avonte Maddox is a returning starter after making nine starts in 2016. Maddox led the team with three interceptions and was one of three players with an interception return for a touchdown.
The Panthers need to replace Ejuan Price, the ACC’s tackles for loss leader in 2016. He recorded 23.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks for the defense, also third in the ACC. Replacing him with Dewayne Hendrix is key, as long as Hendrix can remain healthy. He was injured in the team’s season opener against Villanova last year.
Defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni was set to be a key contributor as well. However, he was kicked off the team this past offseason. Keyshon Camp and Amir Watts will be looked to pick up the slack. Watts, a true sophomore, is another player to watch at the other defensive tackle position.
Position changes are key
The Panthers coaching staff made some changes on the defense hoping to play stronger in 2017. They moved Saleem Brightwell from the Money linebacker position to the Mike linebacker position, hoping to use his versatility in the middle of the field.
Brightwell is best known for returning Clemson Tiger’s quarterback Deshaun Watson‘s interception 70 yards to set up a decisive Pittsburgh touchdown. The redshirt sophomore is solidifying himself on a defense in desperate need of a leader in the middle.
Elijah Zeise moves from the Star linebacker spot to the Money linebacker position. After missing much of 2016 due to injury, Zeise transitions again to another starting role for 2017. He looks to play coverage and run-stopper on the Panthers defense as he enters his redshirt junior season.
Oluwaseun Idowu seems to have taken over the Star linebacker position making other changes necessary. Idowu was third on the team in tackles (75) last season after starting in 12 of 13 games.