Jamiyus Pittman believes his hard work in the weight room is really going to pay off on the field this season.
The sophomore defensive tackle has been the subject of praise from coaches and players alike during camp, with words thrown around like "beast" and "unstoppable."
During the summer, he tied for a team record with a 605 max squat.
"I really surprised myself," Pittman said. "When I first came in here my squat was 480 I think. I just kept working hard. We really didn't max early. Once I went through the program over one summer and we maxed out, 605 was as big improvement.
"I can tell the work I put in is paying off. It's made the game a little easier. At the same time, it's all about technique too. The strength part, I feel like I'm there. I'm getting closer... I'm ready to see how I look against another opponent."
Pittman played in every game last season, starting two, recording 19 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. His most memorable moment came early in the season vs. Bethune-Cookman.
"That was my first start," Pittman said. "I guess they did a read, I thought I was going to tackle the running back but I tackled the quarterback. I heard the crowd screaming when I got up."
The defensive line is supposed to be the strength of the team this year, so Pittman knows they have a lot to live up to.
"We know we have to pull our weight and then some," he said. "We don't want to underachieve by any means. All of us have played before, that's the big thing."
Pittman said fans should be on the lookout for contributions from defensive end and junior college newcomer Monte Taylor, plus Tony Guerad, who appears poised to become a regular rotation player on the inside.
"Monte, when he first got here he wasn't used to Coach Zo's coaching, but he's really coming around. I feel he can help us. Tony Guerad has stepped up big time. I feel they can play and get the job done."
