Pitt true freshman CB Shawn Lee aims to build on 1st taste of collegiate action

Pitt’s 2025 recruiting class features several players likely to make contributions throughout the season as true freshmen.

Some already have, none with more flash than receiver Bryce Yates, who hauled in a 60-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Cole Gonzales in the closing minutes of the Panthers’ season-opening win over Duquesne.

Fellow receiver Tony Kinsler and safety Josh Guerrier also were among Pitt’s true freshmen to enter Saturday’s game.

But it was another of their classmates who became the first of the bunch to see 2025 game action: cornerback Shawn Lee.

Suffice to say, the experience was one Lee won’t soon forget.

“It was crazy, running out of the (Acrisure Stadium) tunnel at the beginning, seeing how many people were out there in the stands, and just the energy that everybody brought,” Lee said. “It was a crazy experience and good.”

Lee got in the mix on Duquesne’s second drive of the third quarter.

Granted, by that time the Panthers were well in control of things and leading by 35, but Lee’s insertion was reflective of what he showed coach Pat Narduzzi during fall camp.

When Saturday ended in a 61-9 blowout for Pitt, Lee had played the majority of the second half, which included reps with the first-team defense.

“He played well,” Narduzzi said. “Like we thought. He’s a football player — I don’t know how else to say it. The big stage. He had some technical little things, fundamentally, that you’d like to see a little cleaner.

“But for a true freshman to come in and play in the first game, play meaningful reps — he came in and played like we expected him to, like we saw in camp. He’ll just keep getting better, as well, with his first game reps.”

In the days since Pitt’s opener, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Lee has taken the time to sit down and carefully review his tape and snaps.

“I feel like I did decent,” Lee said. “There’s a lot that we’ve got to work on, a lot that I’ve got to work on. So just take it day by day and see things week after week.”

Lee recorded one tackle against Duquesne and mentioned that as a particular area of needed improvement.

This week would be a good time to make some strides in that department, given Pitt’s upcoming opponent, run-heavy Central Michigan.

In Central Michigan’s opener, it ran the ball 80% of the time (51 of 64 offensive snaps).

“When the ball comes out there to the edge, we’ve got to set the edge and we’ve got to be able to tackle to see another down or get off the field as a defense,” Lee said. “Tackling’s definitely a big part of the game, especially for this week.”

Lee also recognized the danger through the air that teams like the Chippewas pose, in that their run-dominant scheme wears defenses down and tempts the secondary to ease off their assignments in the pass game, leading to chunky gains.

Central Michigan threw the ball 13 times against San Jose State, gaining only 113 yards, but 47 came on a single catch by wideout Tommy McIntosh in the third quarter.

If and when Lee is in the game Saturday, he’ll focus on staying aware.

“Not falling for the little stuff,” Lee said. “They’re going to run the ball so much and probably hope they’ll catch us sleeping on the outside corner position.

“Just knowing our keys and being disciplined is what we’ve got to do and then the rest will play out.”

Heading into Saturday, Lee remains second on Pitt’s depth chart at corner behind senior Tamon Lynum, with Rashad Battle, another senior, poised to continue starting, as well.

For now, Lee will be of use to Narduzzi in more of a reserve/depth role.

However, things could change at any second because of injury, and Lee is the next man up at cornerback.

Lee’s not taking for granted the ability to be a sponge around the veterans at his position.

“There’s something I learn from them guys every day,” Lee said. “They’re very vocal with us. They’re leaders on the team, so sometimes if they’re not telling me too much, (I just) watch them to see how they go about it. They rehab very well, they watch a lot of film and they’re great football players.”