Pitt's Starting LB Enters Transfer Portal

The Pitt Panthers lost another starter to the transfer portal.

North Carolina Tar Heels George Pettaway (23) gets wrapped up by Pittsburgh Panthers Solomon / Michael Longo/For USA Today Network /

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers lost another starting defensive player to the transfer portal this week in redshirt senior linebacker Solomon DeShields, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports.

DeShields played in 41 games over the past four seasons, including 37 over the past three, missing just two games in 2021. He mostly played as a reserve linebacker and on special teams in 2021 and 2022, but started 11 games last season at Star linebacker, missing just one start after he suffered an injury on the kickoff against Wake Forest.

He finished with 58 tackles, 27 solo, both third best on the team, and had career-highs with eight tackles against rival West Virginia and Virginia Tech. He also had eight tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass defended in 2023.

DeShields has two years left of eligibilty. He also spoke generously of the Pitt coaches last season on why he chose to sign for the program back as a member of the Class of 2020.

"I've always trusted PItt from the day I signed, honestly," DeShields said last season. "The coaches that we've got on defense, I trust them, honestly. I've got all the love for those guys. They taught me a lot and that's like - it's hard to describe - those are like NFL coaches. I can tell because they're nitpicking on everything from your alignment to your assignment. They're grading me on that and they're trying to get you better on everything you do."

DeShields is the second starting defensive player to depart the Panthers in the transfer portal following spring practices, with fifth year defensive end Dayon Hayes doing so as well. Redshirt junior quarterback Christian Veillieux is in the portal as well, making it three so far.

He is also the third Pitt linebacker to transfer this offseason and second starter from last season, as Bangally Kamara, who started 10 games at Money, went to South Carolina. Aydin Henningham transferred down to Alabama State in Division II as well.

Redshirt sophomore Kyle Louis served as backup at Star linebacker last season, so expect him to see increased playing time.

Other scholarship linebackers that are on the roster, along with Louis, include sixth years in Brandon George and Keye Thompson, who transferred in from Ohio, redshirt junior Nick Lapi, sophomores in Braylan Lovelace, Jordan Bass and Rasheem Biles and incoming freshman in Cameron Lindsey, Jeremiah Marcelin, Davin Brewton.

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