It’s been quite some time since the Pitt Panthers football program has had a quarterback under center that has created the excitement that Chad Voytik created upon signing with the Panthers two years ago.
While Panthers’ fans had to be patient and watch Voytik sit while Tino Sunseri bumbled around in 2012, Voytik used last year as a learning experience behind Tom Savage. When the youngster finally did get his number called in the Little Caesars Bowl, he quickly showed what all the hype was about.
But now that Voytik is likely to get his chance under center for Paul Chryst, the obvious question shifts to is he ready to lead?
We will find that out when the Panthers open up the season, but there is certainly a lot to like about Pitt’s likely new quarterback.
While Voytik was patient waiting his turn, the pressure now shifts to the dual-threat signal-caller who has never started a collegiate game.
In his brief look in game action and during practices, Voytik has shown the ability to scramble around and make plays, as well as get the ball down the field to speedster Tyler Boyd and others.
While there is likely to be plenty of mistakes in his first season under center, the ability to move around and create plays with his legs as well should lead to plenty of big plays for the Panthers in 2014.
It should also help the offensive line out somewhat.
While Sunseri and Savage were sitting ducks in the pocket, the shifty Voytik should help limit the amount of sacks Pitt allows this season, which is a huge step in the right direction for the Pitt offensive line.
However there are questions.
While Chryst has not yet formally announced Voytik as the starter, it is pretty much a foregone conclusion at this point. But he is still a guy who is raw on experience and has completed only 5-of-9 passes for 108 yards since leaving high school two years ago.
Yet Chryst has thrown the whole book at Voytik so far and has pretty much given him the keys to the offense. That also includes working things into playing around Voytik’s strengths, including adding plenty of rollouts, moving pockets and screen passes.
Could it be too much too soon for the youngster?
Possibly, but Chryst wisely sees Voytik as a leader and a playmaker and wisely seems content in riding him, whether things are going good or not.
Voytik has the mentality of a leader and by all accounts so far it looks like he can handle everything being thrown his way.
The true test will come when the Panthers open their season August 30 against Delaware.
By that time it looks like Voytik will have about four weeks to prepare for being the Panthers starting quarterback.
But the reality is he has been preparing for this moment for over two years now.
When Pitt takes the field to open up the 2014 season, Panthers fans will finally have a quarterback under center that they have been excited about for some time now.
He will be ready for the moment.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
