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ACC Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021

By Dante Pryor

Dabo Swinney, Clemson football (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Dabo Swinney, Clemson football (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Sep 26, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre (5) and defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) and head coach Pat Narduzzi, and defensive lineman Patrick Jones II (91) lead the team onto the field to play the Louisville Cardinals at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre (5) and defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) and head coach Pat Narduzzi, and defensive lineman Patrick Jones II (91) lead the team onto the field to play the Louisville Cardinals at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Panthers (6-5)

The Pitt Panthers suffered heavy attrition this offseason, losing six starters on defense. Head coach Pat Narduzzi has to replace Rashad Weaver, Patrick Jones, and Paris Ford, just to name three.

Offensively, Pitt loses two senior linemen up front. These three players will help the Panthers in those areas.

  • Elliot Donald, DE: Donald is the highest-rated high school recruit for Pitt this cycle. Though Donald has some growing to do, the Pittsburgh high school standout has enough natural ability and motor to contribute as a situational pass rusher on day one. Donald plays the position exactly the way Pat Narduzzi wants, relentless and physical. With the loss of their three top defensive ends, Donald could compete for snaps this fall.
  • MJ Devonshire (transfer), CB: Not only did Pitt lose their three best pass rushers, but they also lost their three best defensive backs. What makes Kentucky transfer MJ Devonshire a plug-and-play starter is a program he came from. If the Wildcats do one thing well, it is defending. Devonshire comes back close to home to play for the program that was the runner-up in his recruiting. The Panthers get a ball-hawking corner who upgrades the athleticism in the DB room.
  • Marcus Minor (transfer), OG: Pitt was 80th in the country in sacks allowed last season. The Maryland transfer looks the part at 6-foot-5 and nearly 300 pounds. Minor offers Pitt a player who can plug in at either guard or tackle. Minor has practiced at guard for the Panthers this spring. Minor is hard to get around and is physical at the point of attack. Finally, Pitt has the type of lineman they want.
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