Pitt Football: 3 players who raised their stock in spring 2022

Sep 12, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Todd Sibley Jr. (23) returns a blocked punt for a touchdown alongside linebacker Bangally Kamara (11) against the Austin Peay Governors during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 55-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1 of 3

Although Jordan Addison is gone for Pitt football, they still have talent left. These are the three big guys to join that assortment of talent.

Pitt football is now in a state of crisis. With Jordan Addison’s defection to USC, the team suddenly lacks its biggest offensive star. Yet, all isn’t lost for Pitt’s ACC title defense. There’s still a whole ton of talent on this team, and some of that talent made its first big appearance this spring.

3. Solomon DeShields, OLB

Solomon DeShields was a reserve linebacker in 2021, playing mostly on the special teams unit. He only tallied nine tackles last year, but this spring, he’s raised his stock significantly.

Coming into spring, DeShields wasn’t even a lock to play defense. The coaching staff had thought about placing the 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker at receiver or on offense. Yet, throughout the course of spring, DeShields quickly showed that he was going to be a very capable player on defense.

After spring practice, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi called DeShields out in the best possible way. He said that DeShields had “a lot of unknowns . . . coming into spring ball.” But, during the course of spring practice, Narduzzi said that DeShields showed his mettle at linebacker.

“We found he’s tough enough and gonna be a really good player for us,” Narduzzi said.

Home/Pittsburgh Panthers