Aliquippa's Cam Lindsey ready to make larger defensive contributions for Pitt

Cam Lindsey arrived at Pitt a winner, having enjoyed a standout career at Aliquippa playing hard-nosed WPIAL football.

When he stepped on campus as a freshman linebacker last season, he did so having led the Quips to three WPIAL titles and a pair of PIAA championships.

But neither Lindsey’s successful high school days nor his status as a nationally regarded linebacker recruit overcame the need to adjust to Division I football, not to mention the Panthers’ veteran group of players at his position.

As a result, Lindsey redshirted in 2024, appearing in just two games, whereas teammates Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles, Brandon George and Braylan Lovelace saw the lion’s share of snaps at linebacker last fall.

But a player of Lindsey’s pedigree seemed destined to break through sooner rather than later.

A strong offseason, combined with Pitt losing two key depth players at linebacker in Jeremiah Marcelin and Jayden Bonsu, have propelled Lindsey to a place where he’s ready to contribute in 2025.

“I think it started in spring ball,” linebackers coach Ryan Manalac said. “Cam had a great spring, got seasoned at multiple positions, where he had to dive in and really learn not just what one position is, but learn big-picture what we’re doing with all 11. He understands which piece when he bounces around between Star and Money.

“Having that in spring, coming into fall camp, I thought he was more dialed in and confident, playing faster, which allowed him to be physical. Really excited about where Cam Lindsey is right now. He’s playing good football with confidence, and it was good to see him make some plays on Saturday.”

Pitt’s Star and Money (outside linebacker) positions are in capable hands with Louis, an All-American, and Biles, who earned All-ACC honors last year.

But Lindsey now is one of the key reserves at both spots, and he believes he’s prepared.

“You never know when your number may be called,” Lindsey said. “Stay ready, and you’ll never have to get ready when a situation may come.”

Lindsey proved he was ready for the call last Saturday during Pitt’s dominant victory over Duquesne at Acrisure Stadium.

Finishing with three tackles (one for loss), he sacked the Dukes’ Logan Kushner for a loss of 10 yards in the third quarter, stripping the ball for teammate Kavir Bains-Marquez, who ran it back for a touchdown.

Though Kushner was promptly ruled to have been down before losing the ball, Lindsey’s effort on the play was noted.

“You freeze-frame it, it’s an angled tackle on the far hash,” Manalac said. “So he’s got to go inside-out, 33 yards of field to go, and did a great job of hitting the hip and wrapping (the quarterback) up. Not getting a personal foul, going for the football — those are good finishing thoughts.

“That’s a good football play. It was a little unorthodox how it happened with the quarterback scrambling around, but he executed.”

Though Lindsey is more refined than he was as a first-year player, the dynamic of his position group — in Pitt having veteran, experienced players ahead of him — has remained unchanged.

As a result, coach Pat Narduzzi is determined to stick with Louis and Biles for the vast majority of snaps.

“When I was a coordinator at Michigan State — as a matter of fact, we rotate more (now) than I thought about. I put my 11 dudes out there, and I’m playing with my 11 guys. Period. Go back and watch the tape. Rarely rarely did a backup get (in). … To play elite defense, you want to play your guys.

“Those guys earned a starting job, and you want to play these guys on the field. Subs are great if (the starters) need a break. Long series, eight plays, if it gets to a ninth play, you’re obviously going to do it. But if it’s three-and-out every time, what are you going to sub for?”

Ultimately, there will be situations where Louis and/or Biles require a breather.

And by no means should Lindsey be limited to entering games only when Pitt is blowing out its opponent.

Regardless, Lindsey feels he’s developed an increased level of readiness to chip in whenever needed.

“Just taking it every day, one play at a time,” Lindsey said. “Just not really overthinking anything. If the coaches want to put me out there, they believe I can do it, so I’ve just got to be confident in myself and lean on all the things I’ve been through in camp and during the spring.”