Defensive end Deslin Alexandre puts NFL plans on hold, returns to Pitt for '22 season
Deslin Alexandre, whose long journey as a Pitt defensive end began in 2017, is extending his stay by one more season.
Alexandre, 23, announced on his Twitter account Friday that he will return for 2022. Taking the route favored last year by quarterback Kenny Pickett, Alexandre decided to develop his skills for the NFL at Pitt while helping to anchor the defensive line with his experience.
Big news, good news for Pitt https://t.co/kIHAORcDnA
— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) January 7, 2022
After graduating early from Deerfield Beach High School in Pompano Beach, Fla., Alexandre enrolled at Pitt in January 2017, and redshirted that season.
Two years later, he assumed a starting role for all 13 games after a season-ending injury to Rashad Weaver. That season, he recorded 38 tackles, 10 1/2 for a loss, 5 1/2 sacks and a fumble recovery. In 2020, he played in all 11 games, with two starts and contributed 6 1/2 TFLs, three sacks and a fumble recovery.
While helping lead Pitt to an ACC championship in 2021, Alexandre (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) compiled a complete stat line with 41 tackles, 3 1/2 for a loss, 2 1/2 sacks, two pass breakups and six quarterback hurries. He made 11 starts before missing the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl with an injury.
Alexandre will join nine teammates on defense who started in the Peach Bowl and are returning for the 2022 season. The exceptions are outside linebackers Phil Campbell, who has exhausted his eligibility, and Cam Bright, who has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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