Pitt Shows Interest in Former Dartmouth LB

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PITTSBURGH -- After some high-profile losses at linebacker to the transfer portal, the Pitt Panthers are looking for some reinforcements from the transfer portal.
Pitt has shown interest in former Dartmouth linebacker Macklin Ayers, according to The Portal Report, and several FBS programs are looking to add him as well.
Dartmouth transfer LB Macklin Ayers tells TPR that he has been in contact with the following programs:
— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) December 8, 2023
Pitt
Duke
UMass
Monmouth
Albany
Portland State
Robert Morris
Check out the TPR transfer tracker: https://t.co/ySsu4hbtwW pic.twitter.com/k7jZY6H8i6
Duke, UMass, Monmouth, Albany, Portland State and Robert Morris have all expressed interest in Ayers as well.
Ayers was a second-team All-Ivy League selection in 2023 after leading the team and ranking fifth in tackles with 79 over 10 games. The 6'3 and 235-pound linebacker also added three tackles for loss, one sack, an interception and four passes defended.
The Panthers lost Bangally Kamara - a starter at outside linebacker - and Brandon George - a crucial reserve last season - to the transfer portal. Starting middle linebacker Shayne Simon has exhausted his eligibility as well. There are a handful of impressive freshmen - Kyle Louis, Braylan Lovelace and Jordan Bass - who saw some spot playing time last season and are waiting for bigger opportunities.
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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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