If the Pitt Panthers want to improve their six-win, losing record performance from 2014 that would end up being the last season under Paul Chryst, they need to look no further than following a big, talented and now – experienced offensive line to pave the way.
Say what you will about Chryst’s tenure as the Panthers’ head honcho, he left behind the building block of a potentially dominating offensive line that not only has pedigree, but quickly gaining experience.
Experienced, Skillful Offensive Line Paves Way For Pitt Panthers Offense
Leading the way will be the left side of the line, with the combination of Adam Bisnowaty and Dorian Johnson returning to create potentially one of the more dangerous sides of an offensive line in the entire ACC.
The redshirt junior Bisnowaty, who stands at 6’6”, has made 18 starts for the Panthers the previous two seasons, all at the left tackle position. One of the top rated prospects in the state of Pennsylvania his recruiting year (ranked as the sixth overall player by Rivals).
Rivals had Bisnowaty held in such high regard, he outranked the most recent ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft – Ereck Flowers of the New York Giants – in their rankings. Fellow first round picks Andrus Peat and D.J. Humphries were also among names that were ahead of Bisnowaty.
Despite an unit that is filled with highly recruited players, Johnson is the most decorated of the bunch. A consensus five-star recruit, Johnson was the second ranked offensive tackle in the nation in 2013 – as well as the second best player overall in the state of Pennsylvania.
The 6’5”, 300 pound junior has started 16 games in his young career at three different positions. He started two games at left tackle and one at right guard as a true freshman before settling in as the team’s left guard for the entire 2014 season.
While most of the offensive line will have the starter underwraps by the time fall comes around, the center position may be one of the most heated – and interesting – position battle to watch.
After redshirting his freshman year, Alex Officer found himself in a starting role after Artie Rowell went down with a season ending injury the second game of the year. The now redshirt sophomore performed so well that he has found himself on the Rimington Trophy watch list entering this season.
To remain the starter, he will have to beat out Rowell, who held that spot going into the 2014 season until a torn ACL in his left knee forced him to miss the majority of the year. The redshirt senior started every game for the Panthers two years ago, and is not only among the team leaders, but a very recognized student-athlete around the ACC.
Rowell did not participate in spring practices, but was still listed second on the team’s two-deep, with Officer listed as the starter.
Creating a bookend with Bisnowaty is the physically imposing redshirt sophomore Jaryd Jones-Smith, who found himself playing time in all 13 games – three of which he started (all starts were at left tackle).
Standing at 6’7” and weighing 335 pounds (both according the team’s site), Jones-Smith has your typical road-paving right tackle build and will be a key piece in helping James Conner break loose in the run game.
One of the top recruits out of the state of Pennsylvania, Alex Bookser got the nod as the team’s starting right guard during spring, with fellow redshirt freshman Mike Herndon serving as his direct backup at the position.
Some believed that Bookser was, or could have been in the running as the team’s starting right tackle, but his versatility will allow him to kick inside.
Standing at 6’6”, Boosker still has room to grow and could be an eventual solution at the tackle position, but for the meanwhile will look to pave the road ahead from the interior.
While there isn’t much starting experience when it comes to the reserves, but the immediate backups on the two-deep have played a combined 38 games in their career, led by Gabe Roberts’ 14.
Once the fall hits, the grind will come full swing as the Panthers get ready for Youngstown State in Pat Narduzzi’s first year at the helm and the offensive line could be one of the more chaotic (in a good way) positions.
When Rowell returns, Officer could potentially kick to guard which would force Bookser to a reserve role, one in which he could actually thrive in.
Regardless of how it plays out, who plays where and how often the Panthers are going to have a deep and talented group of offensive lineman will be able to clear the way in both the running game and in the air.
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