Pitt DT Showing Surprise NFL Potential

Pat Narduzzi had lofty praise for this older, but inexperienced Pitt Panthers defensive tackle.

PITTSBURGH -- Redshirt senior defensive tackle Deandre Jules has been one of the biggest surprises of Pitt Panthers training camp, shooting up the depth chart to earn a co-starting job on the strength of a great summer. 

The Panthers expect big things from Jules after some quiet years as an underclassman and head coach Pat Narduzzi believes a future in professional football could follow if his 2023 campaign lives up to the hype. 

"If he has a great year, I could see that guy playing in the NFL," Narduzzi said. "He's big, he's physical, he's got a good pass rush. He's playing at a high level right now. It's going to be a big year for him to show the world really what he's got inside."

Narduzzi said Jules fits the frame of an NFL defensive tackle at 6'3 and 310 pounds. He's lost some weight - about 15 pounds - in order to get more athletic, but is still among the bigger defensive tackles at his level of college football. 

In addition to those physical changes, Jules has done a lot of growing up over his time at Pitt, according to defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, which has helped him channel his talent more productively. 

“Sometimes it sounds like coach speak, but he’s matured off the field so he could see this coming," Partridge said. "He doesn’t have distractions, he’s handling his schedule so much better and playing really good football. Minimal mental errors for the entire camp and it’s allowed his talents to rise up and I’m really proud of him.”

Jules has just 12 tackles, four for a loss and 1.5 sacks over 16 career games - and no starts - to speak for during his college career, but those numbers could see a drastic spike very soon.

“He’s figured it out," Defensive coordinator Randy Bates said. "He’s much more athletic, he’s a pain to block and he’s going to play a lot of ball for us.”

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