The Panther-Lair Top 25 Poll: Nos. 10-6

10. Scott Orndoff
Orndoff probably hasn't been fully-utilized in his first three seasons at Pitt, but he has made the most of his opportunities. Eight of his 23 career receptions have resulted in touchdowns, including five scores on 13 catches last season. His size and running ability should make him a prime red-zone target, and a second year of working with Nate Peterman - plus the graduation of long-time starter JP Holtz - should lead to even more opportunities for Orndoff.

Polling notes:
- Orndoff made the cut on all but one ballot, but he didn't have any top-five votes among his 12 placements inside the top 10.

9. Jaryd Jones-Smith
If not for James Conner's season-ending injury in the first game last year, Jones-Smith would have held the title of "most hyped player to miss the season due to injury." He earned that hype in 2014, when he started three games and rotated in at left tackle for all 13 contests. Jones-Smith was expected to be the starting right tackle in 2015, but a summer injury cost him the year. Still, he has an NFL body and high expectations for what he can contribute in 2016.

Polling notes:
- Jones-Smith appeared on fewer ballots than Orndoff, but the voters who included him were bullish. He was on 27 ballots, and 20 of those had him in the top 10.

8. Avonte Maddox
Maddox sometimes gets lost in the excitement of Pitt's incoming freshmen at cornerback, but he is the most experienced corner on the team, having started the Panthers' last 18 games there. And while he had ups and downs in 2015, he still finished with 75 tackles, 12 breakups and three interceptions while receiving All-ACC honorable mention recognition. If a freshman starts at cornerback this season, it likely won't be ahead of Maddox.

Polling notes:
- Like Orndoff, Maddox was on all but one ballot and didn't crack the top five on any ballots, but he was in the top 10 on 15 of the ballots, and he edged past Jones-Smith by 12 points (Orndoff was five points behind Jones-Smith).

7. Dewayne Hendrix
It's safe to say that expectations are very high for Hendrix. A former four-star recruit who transferred to Pitt from Tennessee, Hendrix is eligible to play this season after sitting out 2015, and everyone who has seen him in practice - players and coaches alike - thinks he will have a major impact on the defense this year.

Polling notes:
- Hendrix appeared on 28 of 31 submitted ballots, but 18 of those ballots had him in the top 10, including nine that listed him in the top five (he had a pair of votes at No. 3).

6. Nathan Peterman
The quarterback just misses the top five. Peterman's story is well-known: he graduated from Tennessee after three years, transferred to Pitt and won the starting job by Week Three. What followed was a generally efficient but not-quite dynamic season that saw Peterman have his moments. He saved his worst games for last, throwing four of his eight interceptions in the final two contests (both losses). A year of experience should serve Peterman well, although he will play his final season with a new offensive coordinator.

Polling notes:
- Peterman made it onto everyone's ballot, and he finished more than 100 points ahead of Hendrix at No. 7. Only six of the 31 ballots listed Peterman outside the top 10, but while he received a vote at No. 2 and four votes at No. 3, he only made the top five on 12 ballots.