Column: D-Line, QBs will lead the way in Pitt’s 2021 campaign

Frankie Richetti For The Pitt News

“Next man up” is a cliche and overused phrase in sports media, but it’s a mantra Pitt must embrace to succeed this year. An ACC-leading six Panthers heard their name called during this year’s NFL draft, leaving the roster looking much different heading into the 2021 campaign.

Here are the position groups that will lead the way.

Defensive Line

Pitt’s Defensive Line has been among the nation’s best for the past two seasons and has the potential to repeat for a third.

Pro Football Focus ranks the Panthers as the No. 8 pass-rush unit in the country heading into the season, and a number of players from last season’s unit that led the nation in both total sacks and tackles for loss are returning.

Among those not returning are First-Team AP All-American defensive end Rashad Weaver and Second-Team AP All-American defensive end Patrick Jones II, who the Panthers lost to the NFL. Weaver and Jones combined for 17 of the Panthers’ 46 sacks in 2021.

The line has big shoes to fill but will look to pick up where they left off last season. This season’s defensive line will be led by the defensive end duo of senior Deslin Alexandre and junior Habakkuk Baldonado alongside defensive tackles junior Devin Danielson and pre-season All American sophomore Calijah Kancey.

Alexandre started in all 13 games in 2019 when Weaver missed the entire season due to injury. The senior defensive end will be tasked with stepping in and wreaking havoc in the backfield, just as Weaver did in his time with the Panthers.

Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and head coach Pat Narduzzi have excelled at recruiting and developing defensive linemen — a strength that will provide the squad with much needed depth should a player fall to injury.

With 17 sacks to make up for with Weaver and Jones’ departure, this year’s talented defensive line will certainly have its work cut out for them.

Linebackers

Staying on the defensive side of the ball, another group that will flourish is the linebackers — a group ESPN writer David Hale ranks as the second best LB unit in the ACC. The group has something many other positions don’t — experience. Seniors Cam Bright, Phil Campbell III, Chase Pine and juniors Wendell Davis and SirVocea Dennis will all return to the Panthers in

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Kenny Pickett is Pitt football’s fifth-year returning quarterback. TPN File Photo