Inside The Panthers

Pitt Starting DT Transfers to Notre Dame

The Pitt Panthers have now lost two defensive tackles to the transfer portal.
Mitchell Corcoran|
Sep 14, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Francis Brewu (95) celebrates after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Image Images
Sep 14, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Francis Brewu (95) celebrates after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Image Images | Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

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Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH — Former Pitt Panthers starting defensive tackle Francis Brewu has transferred to Notre Dame, per Hayes Fawcett of On3.

Brewu entered the portal on Jan. 6 and posted himself taking visits to Ohio State and Tennessee on social media before committing to the Fighting Irish.

Brewu was an All-ACC Honorable Mention last season and was named a Pro Football Focus Freshman All-American in 2024. He posted 36 tackles, eight for a loss and two sacks in his last season at Pitt.

With Brewu entering his junior year, he will have two years of eligibility remaining starting in 2026.

Brewu played against his new team in November of this past season. In that game, he registered three total tackles.

Pitt Loses Two Key DTs

Brewu was the first of Pitt's defensive tackles to enter the transfer portal, but is now the second to find a new team.

Just three days after Brewu entered the transfer portal, on Jan. 9, redshirt freshman Jahsear Whittington did the same. And on Jan. 12, Whittington committed to Nebraska.

Brewu and Whittington combined for 48 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this past season.

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Francis Brewu
Nov 23, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Keyjuan Brown (22) runs against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Francis Brewu (95) during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Louisville defeated Pittsburgh 37-9. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Without the two losses to the portal, Sean FizSimmons, Nick James and Isaiah Neal—who played both tackle and end last season—have all announced that they will return to Pitt in 2026.

The defensive tackles recorded 83 take downs, 17 for a loss and 6.5 sacks, excluding the contributions Brewu and Whittington made in 2025.

Pitt Backfilling at DT

To match the losses of Brewu and Whittington, Pitt has brought in Illinois transfer Jeremiah Warren and Tulane transfer Eliyt Nairne.

Warren totaled 13 tackles in 26 games for the Fighting Illini over the past three seasons, while Nairne had 13tackles and one for a loss in his lone season with the Green Wave. Before Tulan, Nairne made 27 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 14 games at Liberty.

Pitt Transfer Landing Spots

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Mitchell Corcoran
MITCHELL CORCORAN

Mitch is a passionate storyteller and college sports fanatic. Growing up 70 miles away in Johnstown, Pa., Mitch has followed Pittsburgh sports all his life. Mitch started his sports journalism career as an undergraduate at Penn State, covering several programs for the student-run blog, Onward State. He previously worked for NBC Sports, The Tribune-Democrat and the Altoona Mirror as a freelancer. Give him a follow on X @MitchCorc18.

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