Pitt safety Damar Hamlin returning for 5th year
The Pitt defense received more good news Tuesday when free safety Damar Hamlin said he is returning for his fifth year of eligibility after getting a waiver from the NCAA. Hamlin’s freshman year in 2016 was limited by injuries to three appearances without a start.
He is the fourth Pitt player since the end of the season to decide against entering the NFL Draft. Previously, strong safety Paris Ford, defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman and defensive end Patrick Jones II said they will return. Ford and Twyman were named first-team All-ACC, and Jones was a member of the second team.
“We’re thrilled that Damar was able to receive a fifth year,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. “We weren’t certain after our bowl game what the future would hold. We really appreciate the efforts of our compliance staff as Damar went through this process. I know Damar is ready to take full advantage — academically, athletically and personally — of his final year at the University of Pittsburgh.”
Hamlin is one of six defensive backs listed on Pitt’s final 2019 two-deep depth chart who are returning next season. They include safeties Ford, Hamlin and Erick Hallett and cornerbacks Damarri Mathis, Jason Pinnock and Marquis Williams.
Hamlin announced his news with Ford on a video posted to Pitt football’s Twitter account. It included the caption, “Opposing offenses, you’ve been warned.”
Opposing offenses, you've been warned.#H2P pic.twitter.com/OA9sHu5cde
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) January 15, 2020
Overall, there will be seven players who started in the Quick Lane Bowl returning to Pitt’s defense, which could be the best unit Narduzzi has assembled. Also, former starting defensive linemen Rashad Weaver and Keyshon Camp are expected to recover from injuries and rejoin the team.
Pitt finished last season 15th in the nation and third in the ACC in total defense (312.9 yards per game).
Hamlin, a Central Catholic graduate, has started 30 of the past 34 games for Pitt, including four as a sophomore in 2017. He led the Panthers in tackles in 2018 with 90, finished second to Ford last season with 84 and has four career interceptions. Ford and Hamlin were one-two in pass breakups this past season with 11 and 10, respectively.
Hamlin was chosen to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday in St. Petersburg, Fla., but he pulled out after hearing the NCAA’s decision.
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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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