Former Pitt linebacker Solomon DeShields commits to Texas A&M
Another power conference school has acted swiftly to gobble up a Pitt transfer — the second in two days — with linebacker Solomon DeShields committing Monday to Texas A&M, according to Hayes Fawcett, national recruiting reporter for On3Sports.
BREAKING: Former Pitt LB Solomon DeShields has Committed to Texas A&M, he tells @on3sports
The 6’3 230 LB has totaled 85 Tackles, 13 TFL, 6 Sacks, & 4 PD in his College Career thus far
Will have 2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/RqTEUflxqc pic.twitter.com/YiHhLix5xB
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 22, 2024
DeShields, who would have been a starting outside linebacker for Pitt this season, is one of 16 players to announce plans to leave the program and transfer since the end of the 2023 season. So far, six have said they will play this season at Power 5 schools, including DeShields and defensive ends Dayon Hayes and Sam Okunlola, who have joined the Colorado program. Hayes, a Westinghouse High School graduate, announced his commitment Sunday.
Also, safety Buddy Mack, linebacker Bangally Kamara and defensive tackle Deandre Jules signed with South Carolina.
Rising sophomore Israel Polk, one of four highly touted freshman wide receivers on the 2023 roster, and junior tight end Cole Mitchell, who never appeared in a game, announced plans to transfer Monday.
Pittsburgh TE Cole Mitchell entered the transfer portal pic.twitter.com/jqzsKLIdIV
— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) April 22, 2024
I'd like to thank coach narduzzi and coach underwood for giving me the opportunity to play at the University of Pittsburgh. With lots of thought, l've decided to enter my name into the transfer portal as a redshirt freshman with 4 years of eligibility left. pic.twitter.com/quaY6HpDbu
— Israel polk (@israel_polk) April 22, 2024
DeShields, who entered the portal last week, is heading to a situation at Texas A&M where he could replace former Youngstown State linebacker Alex Howard, who is transferring.
DeShields (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) was a productive player at Pitt, totaling 86 tackles (13 for a loss and six sacks) in 41 games in four seasons. He started 12 in 2023, his only year as a starter.
He immediately attracted interest from Texas A&M, Washington, Iowa State, Syracuse and Colorado, according to college football writer Jason Howell of texags.com.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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