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Pittsburgh Football: 3 Upperclassmen who need to step up in 2022

By Dante Pryor

Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre (5) and running back Todd Sibley Jr. (23) and head coach Pat Narduzzi (middle) and defensive lineman Keyshon Camp (10) and wide receiver Tre Tipton (6) lead the Panthers onto the field to play the New Hampshire Wildcats at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre (5) and running back Todd Sibley Jr. (23) and head coach Pat Narduzzi (middle) and defensive lineman Keyshon Camp (10) and wide receiver Tre Tipton (6) lead the Panthers onto the field to play the New Hampshire Wildcats at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (87) sacks North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (87) sacks North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Habakkuk Baldonado

The Panthers’ defense was overshadowed by an explosive offense last season. Even with three high-scoring games against Tennessee, Western Michigan, and Virginia, Pitt had a top 50 defense in college football, finishing second in the country in sacks with 54.

The pass rush has been the most reliable aspect of Pitt’s defense through the years. Pitt did not have an elite defensive end as it had in the past, but Habakkuk Baldonado was a reliable pass rusher for the Panthers last season. Baldonado led the team in sacks with nine and was second in tackles for loss (12).

Baldonado benefitted greatly from having Calijah Kancey next to him at defensive tackle. Kancey was a disruptor on the interior, finishing second on the team with seven sacks and leading Pitt with 13 tackles for loss. Kancey, Baldonado, and John Morgan — who finished third on the team in sacks — all return this fall.

Pitt should have no problem getting to the quarterback with a great pass rush trio anchored by Baldonado. Expect the redshirt senior to have a break-out season for the Panthers as they will have to rely more on their defense with so many offensive changes.

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