2 Pitt DB transfers aim to prove themselves at Division I level

Coming out of University Prep in 2022, Rashan Murray did not find himself with a surplus of big-time collegiate opportunities to consider.

Murray, an East Liberty native, was not a recipient of an offer from his hometown Pitt Panthers — or any Power 5 program, for that matter.

After spending a few months committed to Akron as a high school senior, Murray went another way, landing at Cal (Pa.), where over the last few seasons he emerged as one of the top defensive backs at the Division II level.

The Panthers took notice and offered him in January. Shortly thereafter, Murray committed as a senior transfer.

“Feels great. This is home for me, and this is a great opportunity for me,” Murray said. “I didn’t get an opportunity to come here, but now I (do).”

Last season with the Vulcans, Murray recorded 39 tackles, four interceptions and 14 pass breakups, the latter ranking fifth nationally across Division II.

For his efforts, Murray was named a second-team All-American.

“From the beginning of the season, I had a great start and I just built on it from the jump,” Murray said of his ’24 campaign. “I came out fast and made a lot of plays early.”

Murray played in 32 games over three seasons with the Vulcans.

Now, he arrives at Pitt as an early enrollee looking to showcase what he can do at the Division I level.

Another defensive back transfer hoping to make a successful jump to the highest level of college football is Kavir Bains-Marquez, who joins Pitt after five seasons at UC Davis of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Beginning his career with the Aggies as a walk-on, Bains-Marquez earned a scholarship heading into his junior year in 2023.

Prior to Pitt, he had never lived outside of California.

“Obviously, it’s hard being from the West Coast, living in California my whole life, coming to a new place and being away from family. I’m really family oriented,” Bains-Marquez said. “Being away from that, the time zones, the weather’s all different; it’s kind of like living on Mars.

“But the people here, the culture is really great, so they’ve welcomed me in and made me feel at home.”

A 5-foot-10, 175-pound player from San Jose, Bains-Marquez was a first-team All-Big Sky selection in 2024, posting 83 tackles (8 1/2 for loss) with three interceptions and leading the league with 14 pass breakups.

Bains-Marquez said he’s unsure where he’ll fit into the equation for Pitt, with that to be determined once spring ball gets underway.

As for his frame, Bains-Marquez makes up for a few inches in height with a hard-hitting style of play.

“My last school, I played everywhere on the defensive end from corner, nickel to safety,” he said. “So I feel like I’m a really versatile person, as well as a smart football player. And also, I play physical. I may be shorter, but I play really physical.”

Murray and Bains-Marquez are now part of a Panthers defensive backfield that returns some key pieces but is in need of reinforcements.

At corner, Pitt lost Ryland Gandy to the transfer portal (Indiana), but Rashad Battle returns for his sixth season, with Tamon Lynum also back in the mix.

Leading tackler Donovan McMillon declared for the NFL Draft, creating a hole at safety.

Murray and Bains-Marquez are totally different players from opposite ends of the country, but both went largely overlooked in high school before demonstrating what they could do in the Division II and FCS ranks.

Earning an opportunity to compete for roles at Pitt represents an impressive accomplishment for them.

However, now the work begins to prove they can hack it in the ACC.

“You can definitely do whatever you put you mind to,” Murray said.