<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3pVUnt_0vlqpCjC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3pVUnt_0vlqpCjC00" width="1580" height="1481" ></figure>The transfer portal, for better or worse, is here to stay. There will be additional regulations (especially when it comes to NIL after the UNLV fiasco), but it is what it is. And Pat Narduzzi recognizes that — even if he doesn’t like it.Pitt was perhaps the first school to suffer from the ill effects of the transfer portal, losing star wideout Jordan Addison to USC the spring after the ACC title-winning season. And it’s that type of loss, which has become more prevalent since, that Narduzzi doesn’t like.“I don’t like it,” Narduzzi said last week during his weekly presser. “I don’t like it for guys you don’t want to lose. I don’t like it for the first one that went out with Jordan Addison. Those are the ones you don’t like when someone can come tamper with — it’s one thing having a deep-down conversation with the player about playing time and what’s the best option for him.“Those guys got it. But it’s important for these kids to get what they need, what they want. And a guy that wants to play, that, to me, is important. And I’m gonna help those guys get those opportunities wherever they are.”Narduzzi doesn’t get too involved in the NIL discussion, or at least he’s said that he doesn’t, but Pitt has continued to ramp up its transfer portal involvement in recent seasons. There have been some misses (most notably the misses at quarterback before Eli Holstein), but the Panthers have used the portal well. Narduzzi said the portal has been good to the Panthers.“We’ve gotten rid of things that, maybe guys that — we’ve been able to replenish our roster the right way,” Narduzzi said. “So, when guys leave, we’re able to bring better ones in. And there’s a little strategy that goes to that. And I think we’ve done a good job of evaluating and not bringing in the same thing we lost or less. And you can do that very easily.“I mean, we’re not 100% in the portal, but I’d say we’re in the 80s, and that’s a pretty good hit. You better win those wars in the portal. You better be getting the right guys.”2022QB Kedon Slovis — badRB C’Bo Flemister — pretty goodWR Konata Mumpfield — greatWR Bub Means — greatTE Karter Johnson — okayTE Dylan Deveney — not goodLB Shayne Simon — greatLB Tylar Wiltz — great2023QB Phil Jurkovec — really badQB Christian Veilleux — badRB Derrick Davis Jr. — TBDWR Daejon Reynolds — pretty goodTE Malcolm Epps — okayOL Jackson Brown — TBDS Donovan McMillon — great2024 (through four games)QB Eli Holstein — incredibleRB Desmond Reid — incredibleWR Poppi Williams — greatWR Censere Lee — greatTE Jake Overman — solidOL Lyndon Cooper — goodDT Anthony Johnson — TBDDT Nick James — goodDE Chief Borders — TBDDE Nate Matlack — greatDE David Ojiegbe — TBDLB Keye Thompson — TBDCB Jaremiah Anglin Jr. — TBDCB Tamon Lynum — goodS Josh McCarty — goodLS Nilay Upadhyayula — goodThat’s a lot of hits, but outside of the three quarterbacks, the players that Pitt has brought in have largely fulfilled their jobs. Some of the hits have been way bigger than others, but the only serious misses (so far) have come at quarterbacks. And that’s the very worst place to miss.But in the “what have you done for me lately” world of college football, Holstein is a radical success. Desmond Reid, Censere Lee and Poppi Williams have been difference-makers. Lyndon Cooper is the starting center, and Jake Overman has received a steady workload behind Gavin Bartholomew.Nick James and Nate Matlack are consistent starters on the defensive line, and Tamon Lynum and Keye Thompson (before his recent injury) have been key rotational players. Nilay Upadhyayula and Josh McCarty are special teams starters.Pitt likes to build through the high school ranks, but the portal has been utilized more and more — especially this season. The recent success wouldn’t be possible otherwise.Pitt will never be a school to just throw money at the top-ranked recruits, but Narduzzi and the coaching staff have shown that talent evaluation — largely — isn’t a problem.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi Doesn’t Like Transfer Portal, Recognizes Importance

The transfer portal, for better or worse, is here to stay. There will be additional regulations (especially when it comes to NIL after the UNLV fiasco), but it is what it is. And Pat Narduzzi recognizes that — even if he doesn’t like it. Pitt was perhaps the...