Five Takeaways from Day 7 of Pitt Football Training Camp

PITTSBURGH—Pitt Football completed its seventh practice of training camp Thursday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Head Coach Pat Narduzzi was joined by linebacker Cam Lindsey and tight end Elijah Lagg for media availability.

Here are five takeaways from Thursday:

1. Guerrier Rounding Into Form

Josh Guerrier played all 13 games as a true freshman last season, totaling eight tackles and three pass breakups. This camp, he's added at least two standout interceptions, and Narduzzi has watched him grow into the job.

"Started off a little slow, and the last couple days he's turned it on," Narduzzi said. "He's got plenty of talent, potential, and I want to see it every day."

Narduzzi noted Guerrier's job, playing off-man coverage, is tougher than it looks.

"Everybody talks about being on an island, pressed out there. I think that's easier than playing off man," Narduzzi said. "He's got a tough responsibility, and Allen Bryant's doing a great job too. We got competition going on."

2. Three-Man Rotation Taking Shape at Corner

Rather than settling on two starters, Narduzzi said he wants a three-man rotation at cornerback, mixing returners Shadarian Harrison and Shawn Lee Jr with transfers Raion Strader and Kanye Thompson.

"I don't care who gets the start on game day," Narduzzi said. "I want three guys we rotate around."

Thompson has recently caught his coach's eye with a more physical brand of play.

"Kanye Thompson is way better than what was," Narduzzi said. "I see him tackling people. We all know he's got a 10-200 meter, but you know at times we don't see the 10-2. But it showed up. He does a good job on field goal block. I mean he's got speed."

3. Lindsey's Growth Rooted in Preparation

Lindsey stepped into a larger role last season when injuries hit the linebacker group. This year he's fighting for a starting spot, but also just focused on improving his game.

"There's always more to learn," Lindsey said. "I feel like it's just the knowledge every day, trying to grow — not just my job, but everybody around me."

That preparation is what let him answer the bell when called.

"Whenever my number was called, to always be ready to step up for the team—punt team, kick return, even defense, whatever the team needed," Lindsey said. "Just staying ready."

4. Lagg Sees the Game Slowing Down

Lagg joined the tight end room in the spring, and said the biggest jump in his game has come from understanding the defense as a whole.

"I've got a feel for coverage now," Lagg said. "Coach Davis does a great job teaching us how the whole defense ties together. That's improved my game the most, and it makes things slow down a lot."

Lagg is in the mix for a starting spot this season, but he said the room's depth — which also includes Carson Kent and Max Hunt — is pushing everyone to get better.

5. Davis Building a Run-First Identity at Tight End

New tight ends coach Brent Davis has made his priorities clear early, and Lagg said the room has bought in.

"He wants us to be point of attack," Lagg said. "He wants us to put our face in there and get after it. He puts a big emphasis on run blocking. We want the running back to run behind us."

Davis has also preached situational discipline in short-yardage looks.

"If it's fourth and short, we don't want to be passing the ball," Lagg said. "He's like, let's run the football, let's get the first down."