Partridge on the DL breakdown, DE depth and more

Pat was saying that he feels like he’s got three starters at D-tackle right now. Is that what you see, too?
Partridge: Yeah, I agree. It’s fun seeing those guys compete. Jaylen has really elevated his game this year, put himself in position where he very easily could be a starter. I think Amir Watts is the best version of himself; that’s really complimentary to see his growth as a person and a player. It’s been fun to watch. And Keyshon Camp, we all see his talent, we see that flash, we see his ability to make plays; part of it’s him staying healthy so we can maintain his progress.

What does it mean that Amir is the best version of himself?
Partridge: Well, he’s just grown up. I’m proud of how much he’s grown up in his approach to everything: in school, in the way he prepares for practice, the way he works in and out every single play. He really is, like I said, the best version of Amir that I’ve seen, which is - that’s why we coach, right? To help kids grow in all aspects of their lives, and it shows up on the field when they do that.

What’s the competition like behind Rashad and Patrick at D-end? Because you guys will need a rotation.
Partridge: Yeah, we have to. We’ve got to have at least four D-ends. Right now, you’re looking at John Morgan and Deslin; those are the next two guys. Deslin has really had a nice camp so far through five practices. It’s the best I’ve seen him on the field. He’s always worked hard to learn what he’s supposed to do, but he’s moving better, he’s playing with confidence. The best way to say it is, he’s pulling the trigger when he sees something happen, making full-speed decisions. John Morgan is going through that second fall camp growth process, but he’s come a long way in the things that we need him to do, which is primarily the run game so you feel good about putting him out there on first and second down as well.

Rashad said that he thought Deslin could have the kind of year that Patrick had last year. Is that what you envision?
Partridge: I hadn’t thought of it that way, but that is a great comparison. You’re seeing Deslin do things that you saw Pat do when he was starting to emerge. A lot of that comes with confidence and confidence often comes with repetitions. Deslin for awhile was bouncing inside and outside, if you guys remember; he kind of locked in on outside this past spring and he’s changed his body. You can really see the fruits of his labor starting to come together.

Is Deslin the third guy?
Partridge: Right now I would say Deslin is the third guy. If I was rotating three, Deslin would be the third and John Morgan being the fourth.

Coach was saying this morning that he had three defensive tackles he would see as starters and the same situation at corner at safety. Is it at defensive end, too?
Partridge: Right now I see our two starters, they’re pretty clear-cut starters at this point. Fighting to see who the third guy would be rotating in, maybe if the third bounces up. But I see a clear set of one’s and a third and a fourth at D-end, with some young guys that are working their way through, Kaymar and some of the guys that are getting there. Habba’s coming back off of being a little bit nicked up in the spring. We have a pile of guys there that are all working.

Right now you have three starting D-tackles with three guys fighting for the fourth. You have our two starting ends and two guys behind that that are really kind of stacked up. And then a group of guys who are fighting to get up into that group.

Is this the most depth you’ve seen in your three years here?
Partridge: Definitely the most depth. Obviously, you miss Dewayne Hendrix and all of his reps and Folston, when he was healthy, a productive guy, and Shane Roy played a lot of solid football for us. But we have a good quality group overall that I’m excited to see continue to push each other, and it should be fun.

Rashad Weaver said that his personal goal this season is ACC Defensive Player of the Year. What is your reaction to that and what are your expectations for him?
Partridge: Well, I’m glad that he has those kind of goals. No question about it. But I’ve been around this long enough where, my focus is on - after talking to you guys, getting up and watching the film. I’m not trying to coachspeak here; it’s really how I have to process it. But the great thing about hearing that Rashad said that is that means he’s approaching things a certain way. When you’re talking about that kind of elite-level performance, then there’s got to be an elite-level approach, which I feel like he has right now, just in how he’s approaching the film every single day, having attainable goals on the practice field. That’s really what it comes back. There’s no doubt that he has the length and the ability and the aptitude to achieve those type of goals if things go well for him.

Is there a name that pops out to be the fifth D-end?
Partridge: No, there’s not one. There’s a group of them and I want to see them continue to emerge before I anoint one with you guys.

What were some of the things you honed in with Rashad to turn 6.5 sacks into double digits this year?
Partridge: He’s really aware of formations, especially when it comes to the run game, he’s able to narrow it down to runs. He’s honing in on a couple pass-rush options. I think when you’re young, you’re trying to take everything that you’re being taught and it becomes where you’re paralysis-by-analysis. By that I mean, ‘If they do this, then my pass move is that.’ He’s narrowing down what he’s best at and perfecting those. If you look at the greats - one of them’s certainly here, just obviously made a great donation, his name’s right there - if you study his film, he’s really got three or four moves that he has perfected, and that’s where we’re trying to get Weaver’s game: to figure out what he’s best at and really make those moves as good as possible and when to use them and how to use them.

What are those moves that he’s best at?
Partridge: There’s a couple of them. It depends on what you’re getting from the offensive tackle. I’m not going to put that out there for our opponents. They’ll just have to take a look at the film.

Your freshmen, Deandre and Bryce - are you getting them work inside and outside?
Partridge: I am. I’m getting them both work inside and outside. They’re big guys. They’re both in that 270 range now walking in the door; it’s hard to imagine them not being 290, 295 and ending up inside. I am giving them some reps here and there on the outside but focusing more on defensive tackle for those guys. Bam and Nate Temple, they’re doing a nice job. I think Coach mentioned Chris Maloney the other day; that’s a guy I want to make sure I mention. He’s really doing a great job. That kid at some point, I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but that kid is going to play football for Pitt unless something crazy happens.

He’s a walk-on?
Partridge: He is, but he’s approached everything with a chip on his shoulder like a walk-on does but also grateful for being on this football team. I just love the way he works and the way he helps lead, too. If you walked out here and didn’t know, you wouldn’t know, if you understand what I’m saying, just by the way he approaches and the plays that he makes.

On the other side of the ball, what did you see out of the offensive line today?
Partridge: You know what? It was fun because today there was a point when the defense was really ahead of the offense in practice and there was a point when the offense came back. There was a real back-and-forth today in practice that was probably as good as I’ve seen since I came back here in my three years. I think Whipple’s doing a great job of having those guys continue to fight through, either times when our defense has an advantage or steal a chance to make a play.

I think the O-line is coming together. I really like what Bryce is doing at the guard position. Jimmy is a great player; it’s good to see him back at center. We missed him those last three games. Nolan is doing a nice job at tackle, in my opinion. All of them - I mean, Borbs is doing a great job. You really feel the whole room developing there. I like what they’re doing with their front five and they’re developing depth behind them.