Panther Talk: Position Group Preview: QB

Welcome to our first weekly position group previews for the 2019 season! Where we take a look at the depth chart, analyze, and make best and worst case scenarios for each group. Naturally, we're starting off with the conductor of the offense - the Quarterback

When it comes to the game of football, teams can either sink or swim when it comes to one singular position, the quarterback. The QB is the leader of any offense, he commands the huddle and is the conductor of all his receivers and linemen on the field. Good teams can be held back by a bad quarterback (Jacksonville Jaguars and Blake Bortles), just as bad teams can excel with a good QB (Lamar Jackson at Louisville). Basically, QB is the most valuable position in American sports. We all know who is going to start at QB for Pitt this upcoming season, but who will win the backup QB position? Let's take a look at Pitt's QB group!

QBs on the Roster

Jeff George Jr (#3): RS SR

Nick Patti (#12): RS FR

Justin Sliwoski (#15): RS FR

Davis Beville (#17): True FR

Kenny Pickett (#8): Junior 

Projected Starter

Jeff George Jr. Just kidding, we all know Kenny Pickett is going to start QB for Pitt in the fall. The bigger question is, who will be the back up QB? It seems as if Jeff George Jr has the inside track on the backup QB position due to his experience as a starter at Illinois. It would be pretty exciting to see Patti or Beville step in to snatch the back up QB job, but Patti can use another year to focus on development and Beville will likely redshirt. Yet George Jr. is not on scholarship, possibly making it easier for either of the two to take the QB2 spot.

pittsburghpanther.com

Best Case Scenario

Mark Whipple comes in and restores the confidence that Kenny had during the Miami game in 2017 and he becomes an All-ACC QB (shameless plug of our article predicting Kenny to go All-ACC this season: https://tgykblog.blogspot.com/2019/05/hot-take-fridays-kenny-pickett-all-acc.html). If Kenny is even remotely the QB we saw against Miami in 2017, it is going to be a very exciting year for Pitt; let's hope that Mark Whipple can cleanse Kenny of Shawn Watson and make him into the QB we think he can be!

Worst Case Scenario

Kenny shows not improvement from last season and still struggles when under pressure in the pocket. Also, if the O-Line does not improve in pass protection, this year can be a disaster for Kenny. The absolute worst case scenario is an injury to Kenny that would put Pitt's hopes of repeating as ACC Coastal Champs in danger. 

Overall Group Ranking: B

Kenny needs to be much better this season, and we think he can show improvement as long as the offensive line plays well (the offensive line is the key to Pitt's season, stay tuned for their position group preview). The back ups are a big question mark and unproven, so we truly hope Kenny can have a healthy season. And hopefully Pitt can take one or two large enough leads to give the backups some experience. 

GIF Description of the Group: QB's are always the pretty boys...

giphy.com

What are your thoughts on Kenny going into the 2019 season? Do you have any confidence in Pitt's back ups? Let us know and thanks for reading! As always, Hail to Pitt!

-Aaron and Ryan, TGYK