Solomon DeShields Sends Goodbye to Pitt

Pitt Panthers linebacker Solomon DeShields officially entered the trasnfer 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 had one of their linebackers officially enter the portal, as starter Solomon DeShields announced his decision on Twitter yesterday.

"I would like to thank my coaches and teammates at pitt," DeShields wrote. "Y'all supported me so much and i will forever remember the memories that we made. I am graduating this semester and will forever be a pitt man and i appreciate all of the opportunties that were given to me by pitt. This is a very hard decision but I have decided to enter my name in the transfer portal."

Officially in the portal ‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/Tv7hyBzekq

— solomon deshields (@acelordd) April 16, 2024

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 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 freshmen in Cameron Lindsey, Jeremiah Marcelin, Davin Brewton.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

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