Pitt defense suffers another blow with linebacker Solomon DeShields planning to transfer

Pitt’s defense took its second major hit in as many days Tuesday — its fifth since the end of last season — when outside linebacker Solomon DeShields entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal.

Dynamic Duo ???????????????? https://t.co/9L4yG4rdcz

— DayonHayes (@dayonhayes00) April 16, 2024

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

— solomon deshields (@acelordd) April 16, 2024

DeShields will joln former Pitt teammate Dayon Hayes, a highly regarded defensive end, in the transfer portal. Hayes and DeShields were expected to start this season and provide production and leadership to a defensive unit whose sack total — once a Pitt calling card — fell off in 2023.

Overall, DeShields’ departure will make five defensive players leaving the program who would have made significant contributions to Pitt’s effort to recover from a 3-9 season. Outside linebacker Bangally Kamara (South Carolina), defensive tackle DeAndre Jules (South Carolina) and defensive end Sam Okunlola (Colorado) transferred soon after the end of the 2023 season.

DeShields had been a backup and special teams performer for three seasons before moving into the starting lineup at star linebacker last season. He was headed in that direction this spring, possibly moving to money linebacker on the opposite side of the field.

In 12 games and 11 starts last season, DeShields recorded 58 tackles, eight for a loss (two sacks), and one pass breakup. As a reserve in 2022, he made 19 tackles (five for a loss and four sacks). He also broke up three passes and recovered a fumble on a kickoff to help Pitt defeat UCLA in the Sun Bowl.

There can be no minimizing the loss of a starting linebacker in Pitt’s defense. Coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff have much work to do in the portal before training camp in August. Pitt also lost quarterback Christian Veilleux to the portal Tuesday morning.

But coaches have repeatedly praised a group of younger players who could be ready to step into spots vacated by DeShields and Kamara, albeit without their experience. They include sophomores Rasheem Biles, Jordan Bass, Kyle Louis and Leechburg graduate Braylan Lovelace.

Plus, Pitt recruited Ohio University transfer linebacker Keye Thompson, who missed spring drills with an injury. The anchor of the defense is likely to be senior middle linebacker Brandon George, who actually entered the transfer portal after last season before changing his mind and returning to Pitt.

Biles was one of the top performers at the spring game Saturday, leading the Blue and Gold teams with seven tackles (two for a loss, including a sack), one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. Lovelace (1 1/2 TFLs and a hurry) and Louis (one TFL) also were productive.

Louis started two games last season and Bass one.