A year ago, Pitt receiver Derek Kinder seemingly was headed for a spectacular senior season, one that would be followed by a trip into the NFL draft. By now he figured he would be in an NFL training camp, fighting for a spot on a roster and a chance to realize his dream and play on Sundays.

And since he was coming off an appearance at ESPN's ESPY awards, he was one of the players in the spotlight at Big East Conference media day. Kinder appeared ready to become a high-profile star, not to mention that he was clearly going to be one of the Panthers' go-to guys and a team leader.

Then he planted his foot while making a cut during a practice the first week of training camp and he was done for the season with a torn ACL.

That meant no All-American status, no season in the spotlight, no receiving records to chase, no Big East awards and, most of all, no NFL draft.

Instead, it meant a redshirt season and a year of hard work and rehabilitation, rebuilding his strength, both mental and physical. He watched his teammates struggle to a 5-7 record without him.

With the Panthers set to open training camp tomorrow, few players are hungrier than Kinder to get started.

"It wasn't exactly how I had things planned," said Kinder as he flashed his million-dollar smile, while sitting at a table with two of his teammates at Big East media day Tuesday. "I hate to say things happen for a reason because everybody says that, but I believe they do and I have always believed that if I continue to do the right things, something good will come from it all."

Big East media day provided an interesting view as to just how much things have changed for Kinder.

When he attended the event last year, he was clearly Pitt's big star and media darling, the one who attracted the most attention because of how well he played as a junior.

This year, however, he sat quietly, for the most part, between Panthers stars LeSean McCoy and Scott McKillop and watched as they received most of the attention. Kinder wasn't bothered by that, though, because he's too focused on the season he plans on having.

"Man, I think the key to me is this -- I have been counting down the days to get back on that field once the initial shock of my injury wore off," he said. "I just want to help my team win, nothing more or less. I am so hungry just to get back after it -- I feel like I want to go outside in the parking lot and play right now. And these two guys sitting here with me [McCoy and McKillop] deserve all the attention they are going to get -- they are both superstars and both great teammates who work hard."

Although Kinder isn't ready to concede the injury might have been a blessing in disguise, he does see some merit to the point that the team he is returning to is likely going to be far better than the team he would have played for last year.

That fact won't erase what happened last year, but he said it could help him make sense out of it.

"I don't see the sense in saying I was happy to be injured," Kinder said. "But we have a lot of great, young players and a lot of experienced, talented players and I think this year could be special. We could win a lot of games, we could get to a bowl game and, who knows, we could maybe even win the Big East, so there are a lot of things to look forward to.

"Like I said, I want to look forward, I am optimistic about the future -- you can't forget what happened, but you have to let it go and I have. I have made peace with it all and just want to go out there and get started with practice."

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said, "If there is anyone we don't have to worry about being mature enough to handle the adversity and coming back, it is Derek. He is one of our leaders, one of our stars and, frankly, the only thing that has changed about his role is that it is this year instead of last."

As a junior in 2006, Kinder had 57 receptions for 847 yards and six touchdowns, and was second in the Big East in receptions per game (4.75) and receiving yards per game (70.6). He had to sit out spring football in 2007, so he has not had contact since training camp last year.

He said the knee is strong and he is in great shape. He is stronger and faster than he was before the injury, but he is not sure what it will be like when he first gets hit. With that in mind he is eagerly anticipating Saturday, which is the first day the Panthers will be allowed to practice in full pads in training camp.

"I've been doing 7-on-7's and running conditioning drills and whatever all summer. I can cut, I can jump, I can do whatever," Kinder said.

"I just need to get hit. One time, that's it -- I want to be able to pop back up and say 'The knee's OK,' and then I'll be ready to go."