| 20 May 2010
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It's getting harder and harder to believe that not too long ago the quarterback position seemed like a riddle Wannstedt and the coaching staff couldn't solve. Bill Stull was coming off his second major injury in as many seasons, Pat Bostick wasn't developing into the program changer that it was hoped he'd become and Kevan Smith had left the team for baseball. What a difference a year makes.
Now, the hope is that this year's squad can match last season's efficient aerial attack. And finally, the future looks bright from under center. Evan as a sophomore, Tino Sunseri has embraced his role as the team's leader:
"I've always had the motto: 'Don't feel pressure, apply pressure,' " That attitude is a family value and reveals why [Alabama Linebacker Coach] Sal Sunseri says his son plays with a linebacker's mentality. "He has the toughness of a linebacker playing quarterback," Sal said. "He understands the toughness of the game, mentally and physically. He understands the importance of taking care of the football and managing the game. He understands that sometimes you're going to get hit and you've got to get up. He doesn't mind blocking, either."
And while there is plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Sunseri's ability, Pitt is no longer in a position where a quarterback injury is a guaranteed season-killer. Sure, it would hurt, but with a stable of young and heralded quarterback recruits coming in, the future finally looks bright.
The newest addition is Gary Nova. As noted previously, Don Bosco Prep is one hell of a team. Usually one hell of a running team, but even as a junior, Nova was an important part of their success. ESPN had this to say:One of the toughest, run-oriented teams in all of high school football has got themselves a guy in Gary Nova (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco) who can throw the ball with effortless, fluid motion and he reminds me of former Elite 11 pocket passer Andrew Maxwell in terms of delivery mechanics. He has good height on a lean, wiry build and is a late bloomer who still might grow some height-wise. Having worked from under center for the most part in his high school career, he was very well groomed in terms of footwork and timing in the short and intermediate passing game.Winning mentality? Check.
"Taking over as the quarterback of the best football program in the East comes with a lot of pressure, but I couldn’t take that on the field with me," Nova said. "You learn pretty quickly we’ve got a great supporting cast, which makes it a lot easier for me to just go out there and play." Nova led Don Bosco to the mythical national championship last year in his first season as a starter, throwing for 1,668 yards and 23 touchdowns as the Ironmen completed a 12-0 campaign and won their fourth straight Non-Public Group 4 title. "Gary’s got a lot of things going for him," said Bergen Catholic coach Nunzio Campanile, who worked closely with Nova as the offensive coordinator at Don Bosco. "He’s a tremendously talented athlete and a great thrower of an unbelievably catchable ball. He understands what it takes to be the quarterback of a championship team. "His leadership comes not just from opening his mouth, but with his actions."Add in 2010 quarterbacks Mark Myers (who might turn out to be the best of the bunch) and Anthony Gonzalez and Pitt could have 4 young and talented signal-callers on the roster. Who knows how they'll develop - or even if they'll all be QBs (Gonzalez could be an all-conference safety) - but by 2011 the depth chart should be:
- Sunseri (junior)
- Bostick (RS senior)
- Myers (RS freshman)
- Nova (freshman)
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