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Pitt Loses Star DE to Transfer Portal
The Pitt Panthers lost their best defensive lineman to the transfer portal.
PITTSBURGH -- The end of spring practices brought a big blow to the Pitt Panthers, who have lost their best returning defensive lineman to the transfer portal.
Dayon Hayes, a former four-star recruit who constantly had high expectations saddled upon him but never quite met those expectations, has entered the transfer portal, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett. He will leave Pitt with a breakout season expected from him in 2024.
Hayes leaves behind a thin defensive end room. He was projected to start this season alongside Kansas State transfer Nate Matlack, but now, with fellow veteran Nate Temple out for the season with a lower body injury, it falls upon an inexperienced group comprised of Jimmy Scott, Sincere Edwards and others to fill in the gaps.
Hayes was one of the most disruptive players along the defensive line for the Panthers last season, but his numbers and that of the whole unit lagged behind what this program has become accustomed to seeing from it's front seven. Hayes led the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 and was third in sacks with 4. He made 45 total tackles and defended four passes.
This is a massive blow to the Panther defense and they will now have to dip back into the portal to find reinforcements in all likelihood.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!
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