PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – How will the loss of seven linebackers impact the Panthers in the 2022 season?
To hear junior Bengally Kamara discuss it, Pitt’s getting an upgrade.
“We are a little more athletic,” Kamara said. “We move faster, bigger. It’s something everyone can see coming this year.”
Some big words from Kamara, all of two sacks and 11 tackles in 2021. The 6’2”, 220-pounder is the front-runner to be a starter this season.
“I want to be the best linebacker to ever come through here,” Kamara said. “That’s what I aim for every day. That’s why I came here, to be one of the best linebackers in the nation.”
Kamara was one of the better players in Ohio coming out of high school, wearing 11 as a tribute to North Hills great LaVar Arrington. He was all-state not only playing linebacker but tight end, wide receiver and he was the kicker and punter. He’s not the only multi-sport athlete to likely be a starter or at least get his opportunity this fall.
Redshirt sophomore Solomon DeShields not only was a two-way standout in high school, but transitioned to receiver/linebacker last season at Pitt to try and get on the field. At the start of Spring drills, he realized his best chance to play was on defense. His teammate thinks it’s more than that.
“You don’t really see a lot of big guys like this that run like a receiver, jump like a basketball player,” Kamara said of DeShields. “That’s big and one of the fastest, most athletic guys I’ve ever seen. We all knew, we saw him all the time on offense. You put him on defense, he’s one of a kind. We all knew he was going to move to defense.”
Throw in Brandon George, Notre Dame transfer Shayne Simon and the latest transfer, Tylar Wiltz from Missouri State. There may be more there than originally thought.
“I think we have some guys to work with,” said Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi. “Everybody thinks, ‘oh man we have no linebackers’. We are going to be fine. That’s why they call us coaches.”
“We have an all-league guy at Mike (LB position), I like that,” said Pitt Defensive Coordinator Randy Bates referring to SirVocea Dennis. “I like the energy of the guys. We have a bunch of young, eager guys and a good experienced older guy that’s transferred in.”
Kamara said Dennis is like having a coach on the field, that is not only helpful but very smart. Kamara is anxious ‘to get to the party’ of playing every down.
They are replacing their third and fifth leading tacklers. Two of their better players at tackles for loss and interceptions. In other words, a few play-makers, yet this group of backups from last year is ready to prove what they can do.
“We got to be balls to the wall, no hesitation,” Kamara said. “Go do your job.”