Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles shows growth while still generating splash plays

When Rasheem Biles picked off Louisville’s Miller Moss over the middle on Sept. 27, Pitt’s junior linebacker knew in the moment that the play was only just beginning.

Moments later, Biles had sprinted 75 yards downfield for a house call, having scored the second pick-six of his Panthers career.

RASHEEM BILES TOOK THE PICK ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSE ???? pic.twitter.com/hJtmGx1kYm

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 27, 2025

While Pitt ultimately wasted Biles’ play, falling 34-27 to the Cardinals, teammates and coaches marvelled at his athleticism, once again on display.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a linebacker catch an interception, 360 (degrees spin), land, sprint 75 yards later and make three people miss,” safeties coach Cory Sanders said.

The pick-six followed one he had on Oct. 24, 2024, against Syracuse, a 35-yard return.

"GIMME THAT" ~ @Rasheembiles" ????

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— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 24, 2024

While Pitt fans and collegiate TV audiences have only fairly recently become acquainted with Biles’ pick-six potential, the Columbus, Ohio, native has a long track record of producing such plays.

A two-way player at Pickerington Central High School, Biles had four pick-sixes during his prep career, playing defensive back, wideout and tailback before arriving at Pitt.

These days, whenever he manages to come down with an interception, taking it all the way is always the aim.

“That (pick-six against Louisville) just kind of happened by being a ballplayer, for real,” Biles said. “I’ve been playing offense since I was probably 4 years old. I was an offensive guy probably until my junior year of high school. So whenever I get the ball, I know I need to score. … I take pride when I get the ball in my hands (and see it) as an opportunity, because I’m not going to have the ball in my hands a lot.”

Biles has been arguably Pitt’s best defensive player so far this season.

Statistically, he leads the team in tackles (45) and tackles for loss (eight), while tying for the most sacks (two) and pass breakups (two).

He’s also forced a fumble and posted three quarterback hurries.

Biles’ position mate, All-American Kyle Louis, casts a long shadow in terms of reputation and propensity for putting up eye-popping numbers.

But Biles, who had 82 tackles (14.5 for loss) in 2024, along with 5.5 sacks, has continued to be his own man within Pitt’s defense, forging a formidable trio at linebacker with Louis and Braylan Lovelace.

“I’m definitely proud of (Biles),” Louis said. “It was soon to come. We’re definitely both high-level, Sunday linebackers. You go left, and you’re going to see (Biles), or you go right, and you’re going to see me. And (Lovelace) is in between, so he’s going to be everywhere, too. As long as we keep setting the tone as the defense and making plays, that’s what you’re going to see out of the defense every time.”

Coach Pat Narduzzi echoed Louis’ remark about Biles and Louis, who present major roadblocks to opposing offenses on the ground and through the air.

“Do you want to run or throw to Kyle or run or throw to where Rasheem is? Both sides, the quarterback has got to worry about what those guys are doing,” Narduzzi said.

For Narduzzi, Biles’ big-play potential has remained constant.

But Biles continues to take steps towards becoming more well-rounded in the mental side of the game.

“I think he (displays) a little bit more attention to detail on some of the smaller things that he’s doing out there,” Narduzzi said. “But he was a playmaker a year ago (and) he’s continuing to be a playmaker. … I think his attention to detail, him reading his keys every time consistently in the run and pass game has been probably where he’s stepped up.”

Like Louis, Biles is leaving little doubt as to his NFL prospects.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker led Pitt a year ago in pass breakups (nine) and continues to display ability in coverage, leading to speculation that his professional future could be as a nickel cornerback.

Biles has more business to attend to with the Panthers before the 2026 NFL Draft, if he does opt to conclude his collegiate career after this season.

For as long as Narduzzi has him on roster, he’ll relish watching Biles’ exciting style of play.

“What I love about Rasheem is he plays with excitement,” Narduzzi said. “He is enthusiastic, he’s emotional and he’s fun to watch.”