Defensive tackle, end look like positions of quality depth for Pitt

Anchored by returning contributors and bolstered by transfer portal reinforcements, as well as younger players ready to assume larger roles, Pitt’s defensive line has the look of a deep position as fall camp continues.

At tackle, Sean FitzSimmons (Central Valley) returns for his fourth season, having made nine starts last season in an injury-shortened campaign.

FitzSimmons is joined by Nick James, who earned a starting role last fall after joining Pitt from Indiana.

Behind those two, competition is brewing along the interior defensive line.

“I think there’s real good chemistry in there because it is real fierce, and we’re all competing for a spot,” said sophomore Francis Brewu. “At least in the defensive tackle room, there’s only really one guy who’s solidified: Sean FitzSimmons. He had a great season last season, but everyone else is really competing for that open spot.

“But we all love each other, and we actually help each other out. … That fierce competition is really making us grow at an exponential rate.”

Joining the Panthers out of Thomas Worthington High School in Westerville, Ohio, in January 2024, Brewu went on to appear in 12 games for Pitt last fall, making one start at tackle.

He posted 15 tackles, 3 1/2 tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks as a true freshman.

Now Brewu is being talked about as someone ready to make a leap.

“He’s probably the strongest person I’ve ever seen,” defensive end Zach Crothers said. “He’s just a complete freak, and he can move. He’s that strong, and he can move well. … He’s a monster.”

For Brewu, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound specimen, going through his first year in college — from winter workouts to spring ball, fall camp and then the season itself — meant simply acclimating.

But now that he is comfortable in his surroundings, Brewu is itching to take his game to the next level.

“My first camp, I was just trying to do everything I can do to look like a Division I player on the field,” Brewu said. “Now, entering my second camp, I’m trying to look like a dominant Division I football player, a dominant defensive lineman at this level. I’m trying to just dominate practice. If I keep dominating practice, that’s going to help me dominate in games.”

Redshirt sophomore Isaiah Neal also will look to be part of the interior defensive line rotation. He had 21 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in 13 games for Pitt in 2024.

Coach Pat Narduzzi said Neal has added roughly 20 pounds since last season.

Redshirt freshman Jahsear Whittington is another young tackle who should push for snaps.

Narduzzi and coordinator Randy Bates also have noticed quality depth at defensive end.

Jimmy Scott is back after a disruptive 2024, when he made 30 tackles (12 1/2 for loss), along with six sacks.

Nate Temple also returns for his seventh season in Oakland, with three of those years having been significantly hampered by injury.

Defensive end was a portal priority for Pitt during the offseason, and the Panthers went out and got help in Blaine Spires (Utah State), Jaeden Moore (Oregon) and Joey Zelinsky (Eastern Michigan).

During spring ball, Narduzzi was disappointed not to get the cleanest look at Spires, who arrived with a lingering toe injury. But Spires has started to show what he can do in the past few August sessions.

“We like what we’ve seen the first few days,” Narduzzi said. “He’s going to add a lot to our pass rush. (We need to) get him a little firmer in the run game, but we’re excited where Blaine is.”

Pitt Athletics

Pitt’s Jaeden Moore competes during 2025 offseason workouts.

Narduzzi also opened up Pitt’s fall camp by proclaiming that Moore could be starter at defensive end.

More so than most positions, wear and tear is high in the trenches, making solid depth critical.

While earning a starting gig is the goal of every defensive lineman, there’s also a recognition that there are plenty of roles and snaps up for grabs.

However Pitt’s defensive end depth chart shapes up, Crothers is confident that a dropoff in quality won’t be an issue.

“Every single person in that room can make plays on the field,” Crothers said. “No matter who’s out there, whether it’s me, Blaine, (James), (Zelinsky), everyone can make plays. All I know is whoever I’m with out there or whoever’s out there, they’re going to be able to perform. I think it’s great. We push each other hard, so it’s really good for us.”