The Pitt defensive line, particularly, the defensive tackles have been the talk of camp and giving some definite promise for not only this year but the future. This is a bit of a change as Pat Narduzzi’s defensive ends are usually the position that receives most of the headlines. Aside from Jimmy Scott, Pitt’s d-ends […]
The Pitt defensive line, particularly, the defensive tackles have been the talk of camp and giving some definite promise for not only this year but the future.
This is a bit of a change as Pat Narduzzi’s defensive ends are usually the position that receives most of the headlines.
Aside from Jimmy Scott, Pitt’s d-ends were mostly quiet last season and that will need to change in 2025 in order to this defense to play to their full expectation.
The question remains, who will lineup opposite Scott on the Panthers defensive line?
While Narduzzi has not named a starter for the season opener against Duquesne, he might have forecasted the answer to that in an interview with ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.
Rittenberg posted a story this morning listing under-the-radar players on their teams for the 2025 season. and one of the 43 players listed was Pitt defensive end Jaeden Moore.
Moore arrived at Pitt this offseason after transferring from Oregon. The 6’4″, 240-pound sophomore was a Rivals On3 4-star recruit coming out of Central Valley Christian in Visalia, California. Before committing to the Ducks, Moore held Power 4 offers from Arizona, Washington, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Colorado, Vanderbilt and California.
In 2024, Moore played in 13 games and recorded 6.5 tackles, a half-sack, 1 tackle for loss and 2 quarterback hurries in part time action.
While those aren’t eye-opening stats, Narduzzi’s comments to Rittenberg make you believe that coming to Pitt and their 4-3 defense is going to unlock Moore’s potential.
“He’s a starter coming out of spring ball, and I think he can be really good, he can be special”, Narduzzi told Rittenberg. “I think he’s a 4-3 freaking defensive end, I think he can play in the NFL, he’s got a great motor, he’s smart. He hits into our defense. They kind of stood him up at Oregon in the 3-4 stuff. He’s the sleeper on the D-Line.”
PSN’s Nathan Breisinger recently reported that the battle for Pitt’s other starting defensive end appeared to be coming down to Moore and Blaine Spires a transfer from Utah State. Other players battling for time include Joey Zelinsky, Nate Temple, Maverick Gracio and Zach Crothers.
Category: General Sports
