Pitt Football: 5 Guys Who Need a Great Spring Performance

The Pitt Panthers get their first look at head coach Paul Chryst on March 15 when the newest Pitt head coach begins his first spring practice.

By the time the April 14th spring game rolls around, several Pitt players will have the opportunity to take advantage of the opportunities to open up the new coaching staff eyes.

Here's a look at five Panthers who need a get off to a good start and have a great spring.

Tino Sunseri

Sunseri is in a constant battle against himself and needs to come out and make a statement that he can handle another new offense.

Chryst's run-heavy offense should be easier for Sunsei, but he's going to have to show the new staff he can make all the throws, including getting the football downfield.

It's an opportunity for Sunseri to step up and lead this football team, and he can do that beginning in the spring.

Of course, the opposite could happen as well as Sunseri had a good spring last season, and we know how the 2011 season played out for him.

Ronald Jones

Jones used his speed to get on the field as a freshman, but he needs a good spring to play a bigger role in the Pitt offense.

The Panthers desperately need a threat on the outside, and it doesn't look as if Cam Saddler or Devin Street will ever become that guy so Jones is next in line.

The quarterback gets the finger pointed at him often, but the wide receivers need to make plays as well.

There is an opportunity there for someone to step up and become a playmaker. Jones needs to take advantage of it.

Khaynin Mosley-Smith

On the defensive side of the ball, Pitt has had a solid front four for years, but replacing Chas Alecxih and Myles Caragein will not be easy.

Mosley-Smith appeared in all 13 games as a freshman and will get the first opportunity to fill the void created by the graduations of Alecxih and Caragein.

He had only seven tackles in his first go around but can use the spring practices to prove that he can do the job.

Ejuan Price

Price got on the field last year as a freshman and did an admirable job, finishing the season with 27 tackles and four sacks.

He was backing up Max Gruder a season ago and should be slated to start at the WILL but will have to hold of the competition from a group of young freshmen and sophomores.

The same can be said for LaQuentin Smith, who needs to step up and earn a starting job as well, either challenging Price or replacing Brandon Lindsey on the strong side.

Lloyd Carrington

The Pitt secondary came under fire early in the 2011 season, but by the time the season came to a close, the became a pretty solid unit.

Both Antwuan Reed and Buddy Jackson are gone, so someone needs to step up and start at corner opposite K'Waun Williams.

Carrington will get the first look after playing in seven games as a freshman and will have to get off to a good start as Pitt brought in a ton of freshmen defensive backs including Trenton Coles, Ryan Lewis, Jahmahl Pardner, Bam Bradley and Deaysean Rippy.

Bradley and Rippy are highly thought of, but neither project as a corner, but if Carrington shows early he can't do the job, Chryst has some other options to turn to.