'A quarterback’s best friend': Desmond Reid enhances Pitt's offense in multiple ways

Desmond Reid already has proved he can hurt opposing defenses in a multitude of ways.

His 962 rushing yards last year offered clear evidence of his abilities as a ball carrier.

Reid also caught 52 passes for 579 yards, making him the Panthers’ top receiver from 2024, as well.

And then there’s the reality that by simply taking the field, defenders have to account for him, creating openings for Pitt’s other weapons.

That’s certainly how quarterback Eli Holstein, back for Year 2 at Pitt along with Reid, sees things.

“It’s awesome,” Holstein said. “It’s a lot of fun. He’s definitely a quarterback’s best friend. You can hand the ball off to him, and he can get you 75 yards. You can throw it to him behind the line of scrimmage or at the line of scrimmage, and he can get you another 75.

“Just having a dynamic playmaker like him, another guy that people have to worry about — it frees other guys up, frees me up to be able to go out there, play ball and make a lot of plays.”

Desmond Reid is perhaps my favorite RB so far from the Summer, doesn't mean he is the best prospect, but he is my personal favorite for a few reasons:

- Dual-threat running back
- Protects the ball, strong hands
- Plays bigger than he is, has a chip on his shoulder pic.twitter.com/k3KqiAeGi6

— Andrew Harbaugh ???? (@MandrewNFL) July 10, 2025

The 2025 campaign is Reid’s fourth under coordinator Kade Bell.

The two teamed up at Western Carolina from 2022-23, where Reid rushed for a total of 1,723 yards and 17 touchdowns, adding another 42 receptions for 495 yards.

When Bell was hired by coach Pat Narduzzi in December 023, Reid followed him to Pitt a month later.

Everything Panthers fans saw of Reid last season, Bell saw previously with the Catamounts, and even earlier dating to Reid’s standout high school career at Miramar, Fla., a suburb of Miami.

“He’s different,” Bell said. “He’s been one of the best players since he’s been little. When you talk about South Florida football, a lot of people said he was the best high school running back down there since Dalvin Cook. He just wasn’t as big as Dalvin Cook. But as a high school player, he was that great of a player.

“I think what makes him different is he plays really big. He’s way stronger and more powerful than you think. … Obviously, he has that ability to run full speed and make a cut. It’s hard for guys to run that fast and change direction — that’s what makes him special. He can put his foot in the ground, explode and get to top speed really fast.”

Reid didn’t cite any numbers or individual accolades when asked about his own expectations for this fall.

Rather, his main priority is staying healthy. Last season, he had to sit out Pitt’s wins over Youngstown State and Boston College because of injury, and he was nagged by ailments even when he was suiting up.

To that end, Reid has been dedicating himself in the weight room to get as strong as possible before the season opener against Duquesne on Aug. 30 at Acrisure Stadium.

“Making sure I’m able to be there for the team every game — that was my issue last year,” Reid said. “I was playing hurt, missed a couple games, (so) I’m just trying to find some different ways to make sure my body’s good and be ready for this year so I can help the team.”

A player who I think is ready for an encore in 2025: Desmond Reid. Proved he can play at this level and at an All-American Level. Speed and elusiveness on display. Excited to see what he does in 2025. pic.twitter.com/BbKehL98dz

— JJ Kitchen (@JJ_Kitchen40) June 11, 2025

Reid is also looking forward to more work as Pitt’s punt returner, having averaged 12.2 yards on 13 returns last year, including a 78-yard touchdown against Kent State.

Narduzzi has appreciated the consistency to Reid’s attitude and outlook.

While he isn’t often entrusted with strict pass protection duties — Narduzzi and Bell would much rather have him slip out of the backfield to haul in a pass — the 5-foot-8 Reid has earned props for his efforts when he does occasionally have to slow down an incoming blitzing linebacker.

“He’s as selfless as you get,” Narduzzi said. “When he gets an opportunity to touch the ball, whether it’s catching it, running it, returning it — just be who you are, and that’s what I know we’ll get out of that guy. He’s consistent. He’s not going to have a big head coming into ’25 — that ‘I want All-American and I don’t need to practice,’ that’s not him at all.”

Last year, before he took a season-high 32 carries in the GameAbove Sports Bowl vs. Toledo, Reid was averaging just over 15 rushes per game.

Bell did not directly say whether the Panthers this season are viewing Reid as more of the bell cow or leader of a committee in the backfield.

At this early stage of camp, the depth chart behind Reid also has yet to be finalized.

Redshirt freshman Juelz Goff, who had 18 carries for 51 yards in three games last year, will be a candidate, as will late addition to camp Jalynn Williams, another Western Carolina transfer who successfully petitioned the NCAA for an eighth year of collegiate eligibility.

Freshmen Ja’Kyrian Turner and Synkwan Smith, as well as senior Derrick Davis, were ruled out for the year because of injuries.

With Reid, few if any question marks remain as to what he’ll bring when on the field. It’s what will happen when Reid needs a breather or is on the sidelines that is unclear.

“You obviously want guys that, when Desmond comes out of the game, those guys don’t miss a beat when it comes to running the ball, catching the ball out of the backfield and pass protection,” Bell said.