Inside The Panthers

New Electric RB Emerging for Pitt

Pitt Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi is particularly excited about one of his new running backs.

Stephen Thompson

Desmond Reid cuts back against the Pitt defense during the Blue-Gold Game.
Desmond Reid cuts back against the Pitt defense during the Blue-Gold Game. / Via Desmond Reid on Twitter.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers could have an exciting new talent on their hands at running back heading into the 2024 season if head coach Pat Narduzzi's correct.

Narduzzi, entering his 10th season as head coach at Pitt, told ESPN's David Hale at the ACC's league meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina that transfer tailback Desmond Reid has been one of the players he's most impressed with following spring ball.

Reid was highlighted frequently by Narduzzi throughout spring practices for his toughness and speed. He arrived with a leg up on some of his teammates after having worked with new offensive coordinator Kade Bell for multiple seasons at Western Carolina. Now he's making waves in his first few months as a Panther. Ried rushed five times for 13 yards in the 2024 spring game back in April.

Reid was tied for the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any running back in the FCS in 2023. He played in just eight games last season but still rushed for 897 yards and 13 touchdowns. Reid has accounted for 2,218 total yards and 18 touchdowns on 292 touches throughout his two seasons at Western Carolina. He was named 2022 SoCon Freshman of the Year and has earned second-team All-SoCon honors twice. 

Reid wasn’t the only former Western Carolina Catamount to join the Panthers this offseason - wide receivers Raphael Williams and C.J. Lee are also making the leap from the FCS to the FBS alongside Bell and Reid this season. 

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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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