Pitt Offensive Line Suffers Major Loss with Injury to Jaryd Jones-Smith

Pat Narduzzi has taken the reins of the Pitt Panthers heading into the 2015 season and was looking to lean on some experienced veterans to help make this a smooth transition. One of the key points of strength for this team looked to be the offensive line and running game, thanks to the ACC‘s leading rusher in 2014 James Conner. But that strength took a major hit with the news that tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith would be lost for the season with a knee injury.

The 6-foot-7, 335-pound Jones-Smith was projected to be the starting right tackle after playing in all 13 games and starting in three of them. He figured to be a key part of the Panther gameplan, paving the way for Conner after his breakout sophomore season in 2014. Conner led the ACC with 1,765 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns, emerging as a workhorse back for the Pitt offense.

While Pitt has some depth built up for their interior line, things thin out at tackle. With Jones-Smith sidelined, Aaron Reese, who has played in one career game, appears slated to move into the starting lineup after finishing the spring behind Jones-Smith on the depth chart. He will need to make some serious ground in his game to overcome his inexperience if the Panthers hope to avoid any hiccups early on next fall.

Many are picking Pitt to be a darkhorse contender in a wide-open ACC race next fall but the loss of Jaryd Jones-Smith is a serious setback to their chances. Can the Panthers patch their line back together and make a run?

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