Inside The Panthers

Former Pitt LB Transfers to Kansas

A former Pitt Panthers linebacker transferred to Kansas.

Dominic Campbell

Nov 4, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Bangally Kamara (11) tackles Florida State Seminoles running back Lawrance Toafili (9) in the backfield during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Bangally Kamara (11) tackles Florida State Seminoles running back Lawrance Toafili (9) in the backfield during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers saw one of their former linebackers, who entered the transfer portal last season, transfer once again midseason to a new school.

Bangally Kamara, who departed the team last season for South Carolia, re-entered the transfer portal during this season and will join Kansas in the Big 12 next season, according to Pete Nakos of On3.

Kamara transferred out of Pitt following last season and landed at SEC program South Carolina along with two other former Pitt players in defensive lineman Deandre Jules and defensive back Buddy Mack.

He played in four games this season, making nine tackles (seven solo), and one tackle for loss, but chose to enter the transfer portal. Since he only played in four games, and didn't redshirt in four seasons with the Panthers, he is able to redshirt and have another year of eligibility.

Kamara played in 70 snaps this season, including a season-high of 30 in the 27-3 loss to then ranked No. 12 Ole Miss at home on Oct. 5.

Chris Clark of GamecockCentral reported that Kamara wanted to redshirt and then comeback next season, but South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer doesn't want to run his program like that. Kamara had the choice to play this season and finish his college career or redshirt and transfer and he chose the latter.

He had a final four list with Kansas in it back on Oct. 22, chosing them over ACC foes Cal and SMU, plus Illinois.

Kamara came out of East High School in Akron, Ohio, who played linebacker, as well as wide receiver, kicker and punter. 247Sports rated him as a four-star, the No. 21 outside linebacker and No. 8 recruit in Ohio in the Class of 2020.

He played in 25 games total in his first two seasons, including all 14 in the 2021 season where Pitt won the ACC Championship. He made 16 tackles (eight solo) and two sacks in a special teams/reserve linebacker role over that time.

Kamara started 11 of the 13 games in 2022 at Star or outside linebacker, finishing with 49 tackles (25 solo), three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and seven passes defended.

He would start 10 games at Money linebacker in 2023 for the Panthers, ending with 55 tackles (23 solo), seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery.

The transfer portal doesn't open until Dec. 9 and will close on Jan. 7, 2025, meaning that Kamara will have to wait a few months before he finds a new school.

Pitt, themselves, have had great success with their linebackers in 2024, particularly redshirt sophomore Kyle Louis at Star, who has earned two ACC Linebacker of the Week honors.

Sixth year Brandon George is solid at Mike or middle linebacker and both sophomores Rasheem Biles and Braylan Lovelace have done quite well at Money linebacker.

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Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

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