Pitt's Kavir Bains-Marquez earns honorary 'Shark' status after deputizing at linebacker

When Kavir Bains-Marquez stuffed N.C. State’s Wesley Grimes for a loss of 3 yards last weekend, he couldn’t help but toss up a shark fin gesture in celebration.

At first glance, it may have seemed odd for Bains- Marquez, a free safety, to hijack the imagery exclusively utilized by Pitt’s linebackers, who have nicknamed themselves the “Sharks.”

But with Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles and Nick Lapi absent with injuries against the Wolfpack, Bains-Marquez deputized at outside linebacker, earning honorary shark status for his efforts.

“(Bains-Marquez) is a dog,” linebacker Cam Lindsey said. “Ever since he’s come here in the spring and started performing for us, he’s shown that he’s definitely ready for it. His veteran experience definitely shows. He’s just a ballplayer. He stepped up big-time last week, having to come into the box a lot more compared to being out at safety.

“… He threw up a little shark (fin) after his tackle for loss — got him feeling like a shark. I’m glad to see it, and he was a big help, especially with the situation we were in last week. Having him to help us out at linebacker was huge.”

Bains-Marquez’s tackle for loss came in the third quarter of Pitt’s 53-34 win and was part of two straight Wolfpack possessions that ended in a turnover on downs as the Panthers put the game away.

He had four total tackles as well as a pass breakup on N.C. State’s second possession early in the contest.

“Our linebackers here are really great, so just to be a part of that group — I’m still a (defensive back) at heart — but it was just fun out there feeling all the emotion and throwing up the shark fin that one time,” Bains-Marquez said.

Coach Pat Narduzzi and Ryan Manalac, who oversees Pitt’s linebackers, said that last weekend required some extra creativity on the defensive schematic front, given the Panthers were so short-handed at linebacker.

That’s where Bains-Marquez came in.

Per Manalac, Pitt didn’t ask Bains-Marquez to do all that much differently from the team’s usual third-down package.

But the way he was able to adjust his role was nonetheless appreciated.

“He’s done that similar role in our Delta package,” Manalac said. “We just converted some of those similar assignments into our base defense to blend that. Easy for him — smart, mature kid and he stepped up in a big way and executed.”

When Narduzzi recruited Bains-Marquez to Pitt, he had to have wondered what the UC Davis transfer would bring to the table considering the adjustment from FCS to the ACC.

But Bains-Marquez has performed capably, assuming a larger defensive role over the last several weeks.

He ranks fifth on the team in tackles (36) and has one interception (which he returned 57 yards versus Syracuse) plus two pass breakups.

While a change of pace, Bains-Marquez relished getting reps at outside linebacker and being more involved in stopping the run.

“I appreciate being able to hit people,” he said. “I like to hit, and I like to tackle, be in the box and make plays, get my name called. That’s what I really like.”

Pitt’s upcoming tilt at Stanford on Saturday should be particularly special for Bains-Marquez, a San Jose, Calif., native.

Stanford Stadium is a 40-minute drive (barring traffic) from Valley Christian High School, where Bains-Marquez played before arriving at UC Davis.

Now, all that’s left for Bains-Marquez to do is try to help Pitt pull out a win in his backyard, in front of what he anticipates being a big crowd of friends and family.

“A whole section is probably just going to be my family,” Bains-Marquez said. “I’ve got a lot of people going to that game. It’s like a homecoming game for me. Just to be back in the Bay Area, it’s like 20 minutes from my house, so that’s going to be really fun.”