LaRod facing competition

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August 8, 2007

By DALE GRDNIC The Tribune-Democrat Wed Aug 08, 2007, 11:43 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH — While Greater Johnstown graduate LaRod Stephens-Howling and sophomore Kevin Collier have shared the snaps at tailback in the morning sessions and had some success during Pitt’s football camp, the afternoon practices the past two days have been showcases for freshman tailbacks LeSean McCoy and Shariff Harris.

Two recruits have looked sharp in their collegiate debuts, displaying strong cutting ability without changing speeds, but tremendous acceleration when they needed to do so.

“I think we would all agree that (McCoy) has talent,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “We know that, but ... the determining factors in how much he can help us are how quickly he picks up what we’re doing, and that’s been good. But we’ll see what happens when we start getting hit.

“But I’ve been very pleased with his mental approach. He’s not making mistakes. He’s taken the majority of the reps. He’s working in the afternoon practice. The next step for him is when we put shoulder pads on. Then, it’ll be when we all come together Saturday and really crank it up. We’ll be able to make some final evaluations as to where he’s at and how much he’ll help us.

“Shariff Harris was a late arrival because of summer school, but he’s got talent,” Wannstedt added. “I’m really pleased with this whole freshman class. ... That whole linebacker crew, the defensive line and the skill positions. ... Three years ago at our passing camp, Aundre Wright showed some things, and he showed again that he can do good things with the ball in his hands.”

Another freshman remained in the news, as quarterback Pat Bostick’s father spoke with several media outlets Wednesday and said that his son likely would return to Pitt’s football camp within a week or possibly as early as this weekend. Wannstedt had not spoken to the player or any family members.

“I did not talk to Pat, but we’ve had conversations with his high school coach, and he met with Pat this morning,” Wannstedt said. “We’re just taking it one day at a time. ... The most important thing for us right now is to get Pat settled back in and comfortable. If and when he shows up we’ll cross that bridge and go from there.”

With junior Bill Stull getting the majority of the repetitions in the morning practice and redshirt freshman Kevan Smith handling nearly all of them during the afternoon, the Pitt passing game has struggled to get the ball downfield. Both were intercepted by the Panthers opportunistic defense a couple times each on Wednesday.

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