Inside The Panthers

Pitt LBs Ranked Fifth in ACC

The Pitt Panthers ranked among the second tier of ACC linebacker groups.
Stephen Thompson|
Pitt LBs Ranked Fifth in ACC
Pitt LBs Ranked Fifth in ACC

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Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers lost an important emotional leader from the heart of their defense this offseason when SirVocea Dennis, leading tackler in 2021 and 2022 and a three-time All-ACC selection, declared for the NFL draft and was selected in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

It's a major loss, but not a damning one for the Panthers, according to ESPN ACC correspondent, David Hale. He assigned Pitt to the lower end of a crowded second tier. They rank fifth in the conference out of 14 teams, trailing Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina and NC State and one notch above Syracuse. No Panthers made his projected All-ACC teams. 

Super senior Shayne Simon, who projects to start at one of the linebacker spots is among the 11 highest-rated returning linebackers in the ACC, according to Pro Football Focus. Pitt has played around with his position, moving him inside and outside as the season wore on, but his excellent coverage skills make a strong argument for keeping him on the outside. 

"Pitt's Shayne Simon saw 26 targets while in coverage last year and allowed just 75 yards while racking up 6 PBUs." Hale wrote. "Per PFF, he graded out as the ACC's best linebacker in coverage."

One can feel comfortable penciling in Bangally Kamara at star linebacker and with Simon set to fill another spot, there are a couple of veterans with chances to fill the void Dennis leaves behind. Brandon George and Solomon DeShields are top candidates to battle for that staring linebacker spot but either way, both will play - one as a starter and the other as a reserve.  

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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