A big news day, but probably not a good news day, for Pitt as Pat Bostick, the heralded quarterback recruit from Manheim Township, has left camp for personal reasons and is not likely to return in the near future. That means Bill Stull is clearly the frontrunner for the job and he will most likely be the starter come opening day. Former Seneca Valley standout Kevan Smith will compete for the starting job too, but he is so raw in so many areas that I don't think he'll be able to close the gap quickly enough to win the job over the next three weeks.

The morning session was wet -- as in hot and humid. And since this was the first day, the players didn't go in pads per NCAA rule. The first day of full contact action will be Saturday.

The new synthetic turf that was installed at the practice facility looks good and will be helpful in weeks like this where there is a lot of rain because it enables Pitt to practice outside regardless of how wet it is. Stull was sharp today and he made some nice passes to his receivers but he did make one mistake - he underthrew a deep ball that was picked off by Lowell Robinson.

Q: Pitt lost its three biggest impact players from last year -- Palko, Blades and Revis -- and I look at their roster and I am trying to figure out who will be the impact players this year. Any ideas?

Carmen Call

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Zeise: Good question. The obvious answer to me is Eric Thatcher, who I think was an impact player last year until he got hurt and should be the kind of player who can change games with big plays and big hits. I think LaRod Stephens-Howling could be a big impact player and so can Derek Kinder. It will be interesting to see how the chemistry of this team develops over the season and who emerge as the impact players. Those three are my top three candidates. As for a dark horse candidate -- how about Aundre Wright who should have a big impact on special teams as a returner.

Q: The million dollar question -- what is up with Pat Bostick? Is he gone for good?

Dave Knight

Coraopolis

Zeise: It is very clear to me that this is a young kid who is dealing with some difficult personal issues and until he gets them resolved he probably isn't ready to handle the rigors of Division I football. I also think it is important to remember that although he has been in the spotlight for a long time, he is still just that -- a young kid, and he is at a very vulnerable age. He evidently has a lot on his mind right now and it is important that we all just respect his right to privacy and let him sort through this. I can't tell you whether he'll be back or not -- though I think it was made pretty clear to me that coaches aren't anticipating him getting back any time soon -- but to me that is not relevant right now. Regardless of what happens, I just hope he is OK and I'd say that's what everyone should want for him as well.

Q: With Bostick leaving camp is the job now going to Billy Stull?

D.C. Anderson

Beaver, Pa.

Zeise: I touched on this earlier -- yes, Bill Stull will finally get some work and plenty of it. I just can't see Kevan Smith, who has very little experience, closing the gap in time on Stull. I don't think this is a devastating blow because, like I said earlier, Stull is a tough kid and he knows the system well and he will have plenty of good players around him to help him through the early part of the season. He was likely to be the starter anyway -- the only difference is the competition for the job just got a little lighter. Smith will still push Stull throughout camp but it is now a two-man race, even if Bostick returns.