PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There were a number of Pitt seniors who still have a year of eligibility. Only defensive lineman Dayon Hayes has said publicly that he’s coming back to the Panthers. Another impact player on the defense is corner MJ Devonshire.
“I was always taught growing up, both feet in or all the way out,” Devonshire said answering, but not being specific about next year. “You got to be where your feet are. You can’t really worry about the offseason. What is coming next. Where will I be next. I just worry about playing with my brothers and enjoying. If I’m not all the way in for them, I’m shorting them.”
He said his teammates deserve the best from him. That his focus will be on facing Duke. The Aliquippa HS grad said he’s fully invested and treating it as another, important game.
It’s a three-fold decision for the senior, whether to jump for the NFL, spend a graduate season somewhere else or stay with the program that gave him an opportunity to shine.
“Hopefully he does come back,” said Pitt secondary coach Archie Collins. “I talk to him about certain things. Other people in the building talk to him about certain things. People at home talk to him about certain things.”
“MJ is a very smart individual. He can pull in everything around him and make the best decision for himself. He’s got to think about himself and the team.”
His two running mates for the last three years won’t be back. AJ Woods and Marquis Williams are out of eligibility. Devonshire says that’s what makes him emotional right now, only one more game with them Saturday at Duke. It’s not so much that, at least this week, that he is thinking about his own situation.
“Those are guys I’ve built a connection with,” Devonshire said. “You know coming in as a transfer, not every place is excepting. Especially not in a room where there is competition.”
“I’m a shy person. When I first got here I didn’t really speak.”
He said he remembers being in the weight room his first few days at Pitt. He was just keeping to himself and Marquis Williams came up to him and asked if he played Madden. Devonshire said of course he plays Madden. Williams invited him over to his house and he said all of the defensive backs, corners and safeties, embraced him.
“I didn’t know if I was playing safety or corner, but they didn’t care,” Devonshire said. “They were like this guy is on my team, he’s not my opponent. They helped me learn the defense while playing Madden. Obviously, I was winning. They didn’t get too mad at me for blowing them out in Madden (he said with a smile).”
“Those are my guys from day one. I appreciate them so much for just welcoming me. They didn’t have to. They could have been ‘he’s coming here to take my spot. I don’t have to talk to that guy. I don’t have to help that guy’. Instead they chose to help me. A big part of where I am is because of those guys.”
He in turn is paying it forward with the new players. He said they go bowling, PJ O’Brien taught him out to spin the ball. They go out to dinners and Devonshire said he tries to help them with whatever they need. He said he wants to give them advise and make sure they feel like they are better than him. He said it’s a goal to help the young guys reach their full potential.
Devonshire believes he is their big brother.
Collins said Devonshire has a lot to think about, but right now he says his focus on getting a fourth win to end this season.
Hear the Panthers finale with pregame starting at 9a on 93.7 The Fan with Bob Pompeani, Paul Zeise and Dorin Dickerson. Larry Richert starts the network coverage with Pat Bostick at 10a with kick at noon.