Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Pitt freshman receiver T.J. Porter has shown some progress in training camp. Click photo for larger image. Related article Pitt Football Notebook: Abdul doesn't get medical clearance, his college career is over Preseason football polls Vote in the Post-Gazette's pro and college polls.

It wasn't that long ago that Pitt earned the unofficial nickname "Wide Receiver U." because the Panthers had a propensity for producing great receivers.

The Panthers had the Big East Conference's leading receiver (yards per game) eight of the past nine seasons and became the first school to produce two Biletnikoff winners (Antonio Bryant and Larry Fitzgerald).

This year's group, however, has not progressed as expected and, if things don't improve in a hurry, Pitt could easily be referred to as "Wide Receiver, Who?"

The Panthers are set to finish camp tomorrow and likely will do so with a depth chart at wide receiver that is unsettled. And unlike other positions, such as the defensive line, where the depth chart is cloudy because so many players have performed well, the receiver position is unsettled because of inconsistency.

Junior Derek Kinder is the only receiver who has consistently played at a high level throughout training camp. He is the veteran of the group and the leading returning receiver from last year. The coaches also believe redshirt freshman Oderick Turner has played well enough to separate himself from the rest of the pack and become a second viable option at receiver.

But after Kinder and Turner, there is no third option.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has tried to remain optimistic because he believes there are talented receivers on the roster, but he knows time is running short for some of the younger players to step up.

Wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill understands his group is under some pressure to perform but he isn't ready to panic because he has seen progress. He said redshirt sophomore Marcel Pestano and redshirt freshman Cedric McGee are coming along and freshman T.J. Porter has shown progress as well.

"Every day is critical and every practice is critical," Hill said. "We are looking to see which guys are really committed to the team and which guys are going to do everything right in the run game and pass game. I like what I see from Marcel and Cedric and T.J., but right now everything is tentative and is subject to be changed.

"I'd say this -- we have enough receivers to compete in the Big East, but to say we have a Larry Fitzgerald or an Antonio Bryant here, there is no way I could say something like that. There are some guys here who are very solid and will have excellent careers."

Hill pointed out that the receivers' failure to progress as fast as he would like hasn't been completely about a lack of ability. There have been injuries -- McGee (calf) and Turner (ankle) have missed some time -- and off-field issues -- Porter left the team for a day and senior Joe DelSardo has been suspended for two weeks -- that have hindered their progress as well.

The group also is extremely inexperienced -- Kinder and DelSardo are the only two with more than five receptions in a game.

But the explanations for the state of the receiving corps don't erase the fact that there is a game to be played in 11 days and the Panthers have only two receivers ready to play.

Kinder said he has seen a lot of improvement on the unit. The receivers have talked about holding on to the tradition of "Wide Receiver U." and, as the veteran of the group, it is his job to help mentor the younger players.

He said most of the younger players have had trouble making the transition from high school to college, where receivers are asked to block and need to be a lot more physical to get open.

"The guys have a lot of potential," Kinder said. "I can see the younger guys getting over the humps and starting to understand what it takes. It is a process. We know all about Wide Receiver U. and what it means and that's what we want to be known as, too. I think we take it a step further and look at the Steelers' receivers and how hard-nosed they are and that's what we want to be, too.

"We'll get there. It has been a slow process, but I'm confident we'll get there."