Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Friday he's leading a different team than he did a year ago, and he's not just talking about the departure of 10 seniors and at least 10 other players who have left the program since the end of last season.

“It looks like a different football team,” he said, referring to the physical growth of many players. “That doesn't mean you will win more games, but they do look different ... just physically.”

Narduzzi conducted the sixth of his Fourth Quarter conditioning workouts Friday morning and later met with reporters for the first time since letter of intent day Feb. 3.

“They are ready for this,” he said of the two-hour drill sessions that begin at 6:45 a.m. “Last year, I'm not sure they were ready for what we were giving them.”

Strength coach Dave Andrews said players are sporting distinctly different body types for the first time, reflecting age and maturity.

“When I walked in last year (the coaching staff's first at Pitt), it was somewhat difficult to tell a first-year guy from a third-year guy,” he said.

The theory behind the workouts, which are conducted without a football when coaches are in attendance, is to make players as strong at the end of the game as they are at the beginning.

“They have to be able to be tired and still react,” Narduzzi said.

Said Andrews: “If a (player) runs a 4.45 (40-yard dash), can he do that on the 60th play of the game?”

Four will be limited

Narduzzi listed four players who might be limited by injuries and offseason surgical procedures when spring practice begins March 15.

Three are linebackers with shoulder injuries: part-time starter Bam Bradley, Quintin Wirginis and freshman Anthony McKee.

“We know they can all play,” Narduzzi said. “They aren't going to go out there and smack people around, I don't think.”

Also, sophomore Alex Officer, who started 23 games at right guard and center the past two seasons, was walking on crutches with a boot on his right foot.

“He's still hurt from the season,” Narduzzi said. “We'll play it by ear, day-to-day.”

Narduzzi said there will be some position changes.

“We will address those when we get close to spring ball,” he said.

Clark's hope

Tight end Chris Clark, a transfer from UCLA, still is waiting to hear from the NCAA on his request to play immediately without sitting out a season.

“We're waiting for paperwork,” Narduzzi said. “There's always a chance. I never give up.”

Peterman's ‘sour taste'

Quarterback Nathan Peterman has grown a full beard that he promises to shave before spring break to please his mother.

Meanwhile, he is spending a lot of time with new offensive coordinator Matt Canada, the third man to hold that position at Pitt since 2014.

“It's a little different,” he said, comparing Canada's system to that of former coordinator Jim Chaney. “But football is football. The verbiage might be different, but at the end of the day, you can't reinvent the wheel.”

Peterman said he has been motivated by the last two games of the season, losses to Miami and Navy, when he threw four of his eight interceptions and recorded two of his three lowest yardage totals (142 and 137).

“Those last two games left a sour taste in my mouth,” he said.

Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.

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