Heading into training camp, it seemed like a matter of when, not if, Pitt five-star freshman Dorian Johnson would seize the starting job at right tackle.
But every day, when the first team has taken the field, redshirt junior T.J. Clemmings has lined up there.
That's not to say Johnson hasn't lived up to his billing, but rather that Clemmings, a converted defensive end, has gone a long way to locking down a starting job that was anything but a sure thing two weeks ago.
"There's still a little bit where he can get behind if he thinks too much, where maybe somebody that's been playing, it's second nature that they have this guy and they don't have to think about it," offensive line coach Jim Hueber said.
"As far as effort, we don't really have any problem with what he's doing. As long as we get good effort, let me say this to you now, he's got really good strength and really good feet, so that part of it is good for us."
Clemmings played in eight games at defensive end for the Panthers last year, starting six. He finished the season with 20 tackles and one tackle for loss.
Before Pitt's trip to Birmingham for the BBVA Compass Bowl, the coaches told Clemmings they wanted to move him to offensive tackle, and he obliged, spending all 15 bowl practices there.
He remained at offensive tackle at times in spring practices, but struggled to pick up some of the nuances of the position. While there, he took most of the first-team snaps, but also shared time with redshirt senior Juantez Hollins.
Training camp threw another wrench in the mix with the addition of Johnson, Pitt's highest-rated recruit in years and an immediate threat to seize a starting job. Clemmings, though, saw the work he put in over the spring and summer start to pay off.
"I would say I've come a long way," he said. "Still got a long ways to go, but, from spring until now, I feel like I've had a big improvement as far as football IQ and what's going on on the field.
"Really knowing or understanding what I'm looking at, what's going on, so, when I come out on the field, I can continue to play fast, because you can't play fast if you don't know what you're doing. That's my main thing."
Clemmings' progress might allow the coaching staff to give Johnson a valuable redshirt year. Even though he's likely able to play right away, it never hurts to give an offensive lineman an extra year of strength and conditioning. And, while Clemmings seems like a good bet to be the starting right tackle for Pitt's season opener Sept. 2 against Florida State, he isn't taking anything for granted.
"I'm never going to feel like I've done enough," he said. "I want to keep improving more and more everyday. Really, there's never any job that feels secure.
"[I've just got to] keep working and let the chips fall where they may."
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NOTES -- Running back Isaac Bennett sat out his 10th consecutive practice Tuesday. Bennett was in shoulder pads, but had a brace on his right leg, which was injured earlier in training camp. In his absence, freshman James Conner has played running back with the first team and said he is preparing as if he will be the starter for the opener. "That's what I plan on doing," Conner said. "I plan on being the first running back on the field." ... Pitt is expected to rule on the status of suspended quarterback Tra'von Chapman this week, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Chapman was suspended indefinitely after being arrested on assault charges in April. He pleaded guilty and served three days in jail. When asked about Chapman's status after practice Tuesday, coach Paul Chryst said he had no update. Pitt starts classes for its fall semester Monday.
First Published: August 21, 2013, 8:00 a.m.
