Pitt

Expect breakouts from these five Pitt players

Mike Kovak
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Pitt wide receiver Shocky Jacques-Louis scores on a 74-yard touchdown Nov.14, 2019, against North Carolina at Heinz Field. - Pitt Athletics

Given all their on-field success and preseason accolades, it only seems like Pitt defenders Paris Ford, Patrick Jones II and Jaylen Twyman have been around the program forever.

But, remember, going into last season, not much was known about or expected from the trio.

OK, maybe Ford had built a profile with Panthers fans, but that's mostly because he was a local product via Steel Valley High School and a heralded recruit. Ford played nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2018, but he appeared misplaced at cornerback.

Last season, a move to safety turned Ford into one of Pitt's breakout players of 2019.

A punishing hitter with great closing speed, Ford led Pitt with 97 tackles and three interceptions. He broke up 11 passes and forced three fumbles, making him an easy choice as a first-team All-ACC player.

Jones showed splashes of his potential as a backup defensive end in 2018, finishing with four sacks and a forced fumble.

Last season was Jones' first as a starter, and the pass-rushing phenom put his skills on display. His 12 tackles for loss was tied for the team lead. His 18 quarterback hurries was among the nation's best, and his four forced fumbles ranked sixth nationally. He earned second-team all-conference honors.

Twyman made one start in 2018, but the defensive tackle took a major step forward last season. Starting all 13 games, he became the first defensive tackle at Pitt to lead the team in sacks (10.5) since Aaron Donald in 2013. Like Jones, Twyman had 12 tackles for loss and proved equally effective at stuffing the run as getting to the quarterback.

He earned first-team all-conference honors and was a second-team All-American as selected by Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America and several other publications.

The trio of breakout players were the primary figures in a significantly improved defense that led the way to an 8-5 record.

So with the Panthers retuning plenty of experience offensive and defensively, who are candidates to become well-known players in 2020?

SHOCKY JACQUES-LOUIS, WR

Pitt needs improved play from its wide receivers for the offense to take a couple leaps forward from last season's dismal scoring output.

Enter Jacques-Louis, who appears primed to replace last year's leading receiver (Maurice Ffrench) in the lineup. Jacques-Louis (6-1, 185) got off to a slower-than-expected start in his sophomore season because of injury. He appeared in 12 games -- missing only the opener against Virginia -- but needed most of the regular season to get up to full speed.

His biggest impact came in an overtime victory against North Carolina. He had four catches for 104 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown against the Tar Heels. Two games later, Jacques-Louis had six catches for 80 yards against Boston College and added four receptions for 68 yards against Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl. His 23-yard catch on a third-and-4 was a key play on Pitt's game-winning drive.

Quick and versatile, Jacques-Louis is a threat in the run game, too. If healthy, expect solid numbers and more plays like this:

BRYCE HARGROVE, OL

Hargrove has the size (6-4, 320) and the experience. He started 13 games at left guard last season and performed reasonably well overall. Against the pass, Hargrove was stout, allowing just one sack on the season. He also earned third-team All-ACC honors.

But there's plenty of room for this potential pro prospect to grow.

Hargrove does well moving bodies off the line of scrimmage, particularly in the run game. He uses solid footwork and hand placement to his advantage but gets pushed back against power rushers, which added to the pressure Kenny Pickett faced in 2019.

Making quicker decisions and being better at the second level are areas where Hargrove must improve for Pitt's run game to be more successful.

But with Hargrove lining up beside center Jimmy Morrissey, Pitt should be solid on the interior of the line in 2020.

CAM BRIGHT, LB

Bright only made three starts last season at star linebacker, but his contributions were worthy of a full-time role, which he will have in 2020.

His 62 tackles ranked third on the team, but Bright is much more than a steady presence at linebacker. He gets behind the line of scrimmage, finishing last season with nine tackles for loss, and is one of the top players in the ACC in terms of pass-rush productivity.

Bright (6-0, 215) has all the tools to make a big move forward, and he has players in front of and behind him.

If Bright breaks out, it will be a much-needed boost for a Pitt defense that hasn't had a standout linebacker in years.

DAMARRI MATHIS, CB

Mathis (5-11, 195) isn't big, but he plays a physical game.

And he doesn't allowed completed passes.

The rising senior played in all 13 games last season, starting 10, and was one of the more effective cornerbacks in the ACC. Then again, that might be underselling him. Of FBS cornerbacks who faced a minimum of 35 targets, Mathis ranked second nationally in completion percentage allowed (31.9). His combined first down/touchdowns allowed total of eight was tied for third nationally.

He finished last season with 23 tackles, two interceptions and 13 passes defensed, yet, somehow, he gets overlooked, maybe because he split time with Jason Pinnock last season. Those two are expected to start in 2020.

RASHAD WEAVER, DE

Wait, wasn't Weaver a breakout performer in 2018? Well, yes, but hear me out.

Weaver (6-5, 270) arguably was Pitt's best defensive player that season, posting 47 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and being a general pain for the opposition. But, as we know, he missed last season with a knee injury.

A healthy Weaver will benefit from the attention Jones and Twyman receive, giving him an excellent chance to replicate or improve upon his 2018 numbers. Weaver has ACC Comeback Player of the Year potential.

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