Last August, Jeremiah Marcelin began Pitt’s fall camp looking to earn a larger role as a sophomore middle linebacker.
Teammate Synkwan Smith, a freshman tailback, aimed to get on the field early.
Unfortunately for both players, injuries ended their campaigns before things ever got underway, as Marcelin suffered a season-ending shoulder injury before camp broke and Smith tore his posterior cruciate ligament.
This spring, Marcelin and Smith are back at full health and look to reestablish positioning on Pitt’s depth chart.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot to prove not only to myself but to everybody else,” Marcelin said.
When Marcelin got the news that his entire season was gone because of his injury, he decided quickly upon a course of action.
If he couldn’t be on the field or get any practice reps, Marcelin dedicated himself to making strides in where he could, namely trying to gain insight and knowledge from whomever he could.
“Any type of injury like that will make anybody hungrier,” Marcelin said. “It’ll make anybody go harder and work to go prove something towards themselves more than anything. … It was kind of easy always trying to learn, talk to coaches, talk to guys who were on the field, watch the film — it was easier for me because I always wanted to grow my mental and grow my mental knowledge.”
Marcelin’s approach put him in a good spot once spring ball commenced, but having been deprived of live reps since August, rust remains.
“He hasn’t played football since August,” defensive coordinator Cory Sanders said. “So there’s still some things for Jeremiah to clean up on. I think he’s gotten better on his footwork, some reads and keys of where his eyes need to be. … I think Jeremiah’s done well.
“He’s still got to continue to play more football, because he didn’t play football last year. We’re still progressing there and just Jeremiah going out there having fun.”
As for Smith, he’s found some extra motivation in the fact that Pitt has shown no hesitation to incorporate young running backs who prove themselves.
That’s what teammate Ja’Kyrian Turner did last fall as a freshman before rushing for 745 yards and seven scores.
Like Marcelin at middle linebacker, Smith will have competition for reps and passes out of the backfield, but so far he’s seemed to make a strong impression.
“(Smith) is having a great spring,” offensive coordinator Kade Bell said. “We think he’s kind of like that next Des (Reid) — a little bit bigger, really explosive, runs routes out of the backfield. He’s playing really well.”
Marcelin and Smith have found position mates helpful for further refining their games.
Smith said he hopes to emulate Turner’s work ethic and match his pure speed, whereas Western Kentucky transfer La’Vell Wright, preparing for his sixth year of college football, has offered pointers.
Marcelin has found Braylan Lovelace to be an example-setter in leadership style, effort and approach to the linebacker position.
For Marcelin and Smith, injuries were thrust upon them, compromising a full season of college football.
But lessons learned along the road of recovery and perspective gained from having football taken away for an extended time proved to be major silver linings.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Smith said. “This year, I’m just trying to go hard every play and ball out for my family.”