Pitt loses Bangally Kamara to transfer portal, 2nd linebacker this week to reveal departure plans

Pitt lost its second veteran outside linebacker to the transfer portal this week when senior Bangally Kamara on Wednesday announced plans to leave the team.

Thank You Pittsburgh I will enter the Portal On Dec.4 pic.twitter.com/RMfKmluZ3y

— . (@BangallyKamara) November 29, 2023

Kamara joins middle linebacker Brandon George, also a senior, in deciding to move on after Pitt’s 3-9 season.

Pitt is losing one of its most productive playmakers on defense after Kamara finished fourth on the team in tackles (55), including 6¹⁄₂ for a loss and two sacks. He broke up one pass and recorded four quarterback hurries. He spent four seasons at Pitt but has one year of eligibility remaining because of the 2020 covid year.

He started 10 of 12 games this season, missing two because of injury, and 11 of 13 in 2022.

Losing George, Kamara and starting middle linebacker Shayne Simon in the same offseason puts a significant dent in Pitt’s experienced linebacker depth.

Even before the end of the season, Pat Narduzzi and linebackers coach Ryan Manalac were planning to give young players more responsibility in 2024. Freshmen Braylan Lovelace (Leechburg), Jordan Bass and Rasheem Biles, redshirt freshman Kyle Louis and redshirt sophomore Nick Lapi received playing time in reserve roles this season. Now, they will need to grow up quickly.

The defensive roster already is getting ready to acquire a new look after Simon, cornerbacks A.J. Woods and Marquis Williams and defensive tackles David Green, Tyler Bentley and Devin Danielson exhausted their eligibility.

Five players — defensive end Nate Temple, defensive tackle Deandre Jules, linebacker Aydin Henningham and safeties Stephon Hall and Buddy Mack — also announced decisions to transfer, making it six in two days.

Temple, a redshirt senior, started 11 of 12 games this season, recording 26 tackles (4 1/2 for a loss, with 1 1/2 sacks) and three hurries.

Jules started the season with the hope of becoming an anchor on the defensive line. But he was pulled from the starting lineup for the final five games after starting six of the first seven. Still, he tied for second in TFLs (7¹⁄₂) with Simon and recorded two sacks, two hurries and a forced fumble. The others didn’t earn significant playing time through most of the season.

Jules’ departure, plus the loss of Green, Bentley and Danielson, means Elliot Donald (Central Catholic), Sean FitzSimmons (Central Valley) and freshman Isaiah Neal are the incumbent interior linemen.

Hall, a Central Valley graduate, lost playing time after coaches largely limited the safety rotation to Donovan McMillon, Javon McIntyre and P.J. O’Brien.

Thank you Pittsburgh ???????? pic.twitter.com/Ri4SkdnraE

— DeAndre Jules (@djules0fficial) November 29, 2023

After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I have decided to enter the Portal.. pic.twitter.com/93rva9UBE8

— Stephon Hall (@flueysteph25) November 29, 2023

Next Chapter???????? pic.twitter.com/4g1HHsmhVH

— Aydin Henningham (@Underated_561) November 29, 2023

Thank You Pittsburgh???? pic.twitter.com/CxIESD5M9S

— Buddy Mack???? (@TMack_14) November 29, 2023

Forever thankful! pic.twitter.com/tWAp3ALzLy

— Nate Temple (@nate_temple6) November 30, 2023