More Freshman Focus ($): Nick Sipe | Tobias Larry

Physically, Darius Pittman is as ready as a rookie probably could be.

He’s a solid 250 pounds with strength comparable to his older tight end teammates and a work ethic that is on par, too.

One problem: The pair of more experienced, potential-packed players ahead of Pittman on the depth chart. Cole Herdman is the unquestioned starter and poised for a breakout season, and Brycen Hopkins is an athletic freak who’s said to have made considerable strides as a blocker, too, this summer.

So cracking the two-deep may be difficult as a freshman, Pittman admits.

But that hasn’t stopped him from trying.

And that want-to and effort has impressed position coach Tony Levine — as well as Herdman and Hopkins.