Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Pitt's Dorin Dickerson switched from offense to defense this season. Click photo for larger image. Related coverage: Bob Smizik: Wannstedt deserves chance to right Pitt's ship Paterno: Big Ten should give players a break

The news that sophomore Dorin Dickerson was moved from offense to defense raised more than a few eyebrows over the winter.

This is the same player who once was expected to become the Panthers' secret weapon -- a game-breaker the offense would be built around.

There also were questions about Dickerson's toughness, given his history with injuries, and whether or not he had the right mentality to be a dominant defensive player.

But Dickerson insists that he is fully committed to playing linebacker and scoffs at the notion that he isn't a defensive player.

"I'm very comfortable with where I am at as a linebacker and I'm really happy with this move," Dickerson said. "I think it is best for me and for the team. Defense is far more free, you just go out and play and don't worry so much about much of anything else.

"Coming out of high school, I didn't even like playing defense, but I'll be honest -- I love defense now. I love it so much it is ridiculous. I wouldn't even want to go back and play offense now because I have a different mind-set and a more hard-nosed mentality. I used to look forward to running or catching the ball. Now I just can't wait to put the pads on and hit somebody."

Dickerson's new attitude and new love for defense have come at an important time, because one of the top priorities for the coaching staff in training camp is filling the depth chart at linebacker.

That's why, when the Panthers open camp today, Dickerson will be one of the most-watched players.

His ability to make a smooth transition to linebacker could be critical for the defense.

The Panthers had their annual pre-training camp media day yesterday and Dickerson certainly looks as if he has prepared himself for the change.

He has bulked up to about 225 pounds and he has gotten faster. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds in summer conditioning drills.

Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said Dickerson has the athletic ability to be a special player but still is learning the position. He also has no doubt that Dickerson is tough enough to be a dominant defensive player if he is committed to it.

"The guy finished spring practice with a fracture in his ankle and never used it as an excuse," Rhoads said. "There is no dispute about his toughness. Every injury he's had has been legitimate and major in nature. He proved to me he's tough enough in the spring, so there are zero toughness issues with Dorin.

"And he has the speed, the strength and the quickness and he certainly doesn't have a shortage of football intelligence when it comes to playing linebacker. It is a matter of time with him."

Dickerson came to Pitt last season as a highly rated recruit from West Allegheny High School and was expected to make an immediate impact at either receiver or running back.

But an ankle injury in training camp slowed his development and he never broke into the two-deep at either spot.

Rather than take a redshirt, Dickerson decided he wanted to play and did, albeit sparingly, which is why many viewed it as a wasted season for him.

"I don't see that as the case at all," Dickerson said. "You learn something from every experience you have and I learned a lot from last year, even though I didn't play much. And, if you look at it, now I have a chance to earn a starting spot, which is all a player can ask, and I'm ready to step in and take this challenge."

NOTES -- QB Dexter Davidson (knees) and LB Greg Webster (Crohn's disease) have not been medically cleared for the season. ... All the freshmen and newcomers have qualified academically and made it through the NCAA Clearinghouse. ... Two key players -- right tackle Mike McGlynn (shoulder) and defensive end Doug Fulmer (knee) are not yet cleared for full contact but are expected to play this season. "I think Fulmer is further away from being ready than we'd like but he is getting healthier," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. ... Wannstedt said McGlynn could be moving to center. "We'll start with Chris Vangas and John Bachman competing at center but, in the end, we are looking to find the five best players to put on the field," he said. ... Wannstedt said he will again split the squad and hold separate practices for the first week. The veterans will go in the morning and the "younger" players will go in the afternoon." ... Two freshmen running backs, Greg Williams and Shariff Harris, are likely to move to linebacker. ... Sophomore Jovani Chappel has moved from corner to safety and senior Jemeel Brady has moved from safety to linebacker. ... Former Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford will be observing practices and said he is laying the foundation for a move into coaching.