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Pittsburgh Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Jerran Anderson

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 14: Head Coach Pat Narduzzi of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. Pittsburgh defeated Duke 31-13. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 14: Head Coach Pat Narduzzi of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. Pittsburgh defeated Duke 31-13. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 12: Quintin Wirginis #58 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 12: Quintin Wirginis #58 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

Starting outside backers: Elijah Zeise, Oluwaseun Idowu
Backups: Jalen Williams, Anthony McKee Jr.

The outside backers for the Pittsburgh Panthers defense has a bit of starting experience. Elijah Zeise enters 2017 as the starting Money linebacker position. He opened the 2016 season at the position before suffering a season-ending left ankle injury. Oluwaseun Idowu played in all 13 games in 2016, making a start in the final 12 games of the season as the Star linebacker.

At the backup positions, Jalen Williams looks to work his way in at the Star linebacker position. He is a redshirt junior who moved from safety to linebacker in 2016. Anthony McKee Jr. enters looking to work in at the other backup linebacker position. He didn’t appear in any games last season.

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Starting Mike linebacker: Saleem Brightwell
Backup: Quintin Wirginis

Saleem Brightwell moves from the Money linebacker spot to the Mike linebacker position in 2016. He started in two games last season as the Money linebacker. He looks to play a larger role on the Panthers defense in 2017. Quintin Wirginis serves as the backup.

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