The situation with T.J. Porter is somewhat filled out this morning.
Pitt’s freshman class may have taken another big hit yesterday as receiver T.J. Porter did not show up for the afternoon practice and is considering leaving school. This comes one day after freshman defensive end McKenzie Mathews left the team and returned to his home in Syracuse, N.Y.
What makes the decisions puzzling is that both players were having excellent camps and were on their way toward making it onto the two-deep.
In Porter’s case, there is a good chance he can earn a starting spot or be the third receiver.
There is some understandable confusion about why two players who were in Pittsburgh all summer for voluntary workouts and conditioning. Who are performing very well in the first week of training camp, fully looking like they will at a minimum make the two-deep depth chart. Why would they, now start pining for home to the point where they might leave and set back their hopes and dreams a couple years (be it making it to the NFL or just getting a college education).
The easiest, simplest and probably best answer is that they are kids. They may be very physically gifted and talented kids, but the key thing is they are kids. With Porter, at least, he has shown some sensitivity to being overwhelmed by things. It’s part of why he ducked out of a signing day ceremony at his high school before quietly signing the following day.
Coach Wannstedt is doing the right thing by staying in touch but giving the kids a chance to catch their breath, talk to family and think.
What isn’t completely explained is what happened to back-up QB Bill Stull. One day he’s having a fine camp, looking real good. Now he has his finger in a splint and not taking snaps for at least a week. No word on what digit or hand.
Freshman WR Aaron Smith could be heading for a redshirt with a seperated left shoulder. Especially if it needs surgery or extensive rehab.
The highlights from camp, seem to have a majority coming from the offense.
link to syracuse.com
So, unless Mathews decides to move on to either BC or Michigan (which I can’t see happening because they are both significant drives from the Salt City), Mathews is going to either: (1) end up back at Pitt; or (2) not play football at all.
However, there is one wrinkle to this story. If Mathews decides to go JUCO this year (which I personally can’t see happening because he is both very bright and probably would not want to stunt his football growth), he may be eligible to scoot around this Big East rule. This manuever, however, may not work to his benefit as: (1) Syracuse may require he complete 2 years of JUCO education before enrolling; and (2) the Big East rule may be construed strictly against him, regardless of his eligibility clock not starting as of yet.