Pitt adds former FCS linebacker Tylar Wiltz from transfer portal

Pat Narduzzi understood the significance of losing three productive linebackers, so he went to the NCAA transfer portal that is becoming a handy tool for Pitt’s coach and added some depth.

New Look, Same Mission????‼️‼️???????????????? #H2P #Committed pic.twitter.com/RvQJqixc7z

— DeddyKane???????? (@tylarwiltz) March 28, 2022

Missouri State linebacker Tylar Wiltz announced Monday on his Twitter account that he has verbally committed to the Panthers.

Pitt will be the fourth school for Wiltz, his first in the FBS. He spent the 2017 season at Southern Arkansas University before transferring to Independence (Kansas) Community College in ‘18 and Missouri State for the past three seasons.

Wiltz (6-foot-1, 219) was named to the Missouri Valley Football All-Conference second team in 2020 and ‘21. He recorded 80 tackles in the 2020/2021 season that was split into fall and spring segments because of the pandemic. He was credited with 12 tackles each in a 48-0 loss to Oklahoma and a 21-10 victory against Younstown State on April 10, 2021.

During the 2021 fall season, Wiltz displayed an ability to make splash plays, leading Missouri State with 106 tackles (51 unassisted), including 14 1/2 for a loss and 3 1/2 sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.

Wiltz is the fourth player and second linebacker Pitt has secured from the portal, joining linebacker Shayne Simon (Notre Dame), quarterback Kedon Slovis (USC) and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield (Akron).

He has missed most of Pitt’s spring drills, but when he arrives he will compete with Simon, Bangally Kamara and Solomon DeShields, most likely for the outside spots vacated by John Petrishen, Phil Campbell III and Cam Bright. SirVocea Dennis is returning at middle linebacker.