Inside The Panthers

PFF Tabs M.J. Devonshire as Pitt's Best Player

Cornerback looks like one of the best units on the Pitt Panthers this year.

Stephen Thompson

PFF Tabs M.J. Devonshire as Pitt's Best Player
PFF Tabs M.J. Devonshire as Pitt's Best Player /
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PITTSBURGH -- As the Pitt Panthers undergo some major turnover from last year's nine-win squad - particularly on defense - cornerback figures to be one of the strongest units on the team. 

And perhaps the best player in that Pitt cornerback unit is earning some national attention as one of the best overall players in the ACC. M.J. Devonshire has been tabbed as the Panthers' top player by Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick. 

"Devonshire’s three interceptions trailed only Aydan White among ACC cornerbacks in 2022," Chadwick wrote. "He only allowed 16.7% of his targets in man-coverage to be caught, tied for fifth among Power Five corners. Devonshire was named third-team preseason All-ACC by PFF."

Interestingly enough, PFF put two Panthers - placekicker Ben Sauls and offensive tackle Matt Goncalves - on their All-ACC Second Team while Devonshire was relegated to the Third Team. 

Devonshire will be a key piece of a three-man rotation at cornerback and, after tying the team lead in interceptions with three (two of which he returned for touchdowns) and leading Pitt corners in tackles. He also recorded the second-most punt returns of 20 yards or more in college football last season and figures to be one of the more dangerous special teamers in America once again. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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