Pitt selects 4 captains to prove they are better than ‘23

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – On a team led by a defensive head coach, the 2024 Panthers have four senior captains this year, three are on offense. TE Gavin Bartholomew, WR Konata Mumpfield, OT Branson Taylor along with LB Brandon George will be the designated leaders as voted by the players.

Narduzzi said he doesn’t care what side of the ball they are on, just that they set a good example and don’t put up with any BS. In his college playing days, Narduzzi was a captain and what he wants are players like him and not shy about pointing out issues.

“I’m was one of those guys that didn’t care,” Narduzzi said Friday. “I’m going to tell it like it is. If you guys are all out of line and not doing your job, I’m going to snap on you. Just like I do as head coach. Head coaches have to be like that. Leaders have to be like that.”

Narduzzi said there was one player who was surprised when told, third-year receiver Konata Mumpfield. Narduzzi said his reaction was almost like they called the wrong name, but the head coach noted the players respect him. The transfer from Akron has built trust and says he feels like ‘a Pitt man’

“I’m more a lead-by-example,” Mumpfield said. “My dad is military. I was always taught to work and ask questions later. I’m definitely trying to open up more.”

Tight end Gavin Bartholomew hasn’t been afraid to speak his mind and set a goal to become a captain at Pitt. Narduzzi called him a loyalist for sticking with the program even with offers to go to other schools after last season.

“I’m always going to be getting them going when we don’t have enough juice,” Bartholomew said. “I’m definitely the guy that gets the guys going. Just leading by example, doing the little things right, busting my butt every day in practice.”

Branson Taylor is the quietest of the group, but says he’s working on that and saying much more than he has in the past. Narduzzi called him a quiet leader. Taylor said whether he was voted captain or not, he was going to lead the 2024 Panthers.

The lone defensive player is sixth-year linebacker and core special teams player Brandon George. Narduzzi called him in the ultimate leader, having already called a team meeting on his own. Narduzzi said George is a throwback-type, who plays the game the way it is supposed to be played.

“It meant the world, that after all of these years my teammates respect me enough and believe in me enough that I can lead this team,” George said. “I’ve always been a lead-by-example kid, but I feel like it’s had to morph over these last couple of years to be a more vocal style.”

Panthers open the season August 31 hosting Kent State. Bill Hillgrove with Pat Bostick, Dorin Dickerson and Larry Richert call the game at noon on 93.7 The Fan.