Pitt Football Defense Preview 2025: The Panther Pass Rush Will Dominate

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 3:21 AM ET

It’s the Pitt defense. You know how this works.

The pass rush will be otherworldly, with the plays behind the line coming from everywhere. Pitt was sixth in the nation in sacks and fourth in tackles for loss.

And, oddly enough, considering all of the help, the secondary will get hammered for way too many yards with a style that gives up big plays, but watch out. Pitt is loaded with returning starters, and as always, it starts with …

Pitt Panthers Preview 2025: Defense

2025 Pitt Preview
Pitt Offense Breakdown
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season

- The pass rush will once again be amazing. Jimmy Scott came up with six sacks at one end spot, Nick James is an All-ACC caliber tackle, and Sean FitzSimmons, who missed a chunk of time hurt, can get behind the line from the inside.

Blaine Spires (Utah State) made six sacks and 12 tackles for loss over the last two years with the Aggies, but missed almost all of last year injured.

- The linebackers are among the best in the ACC. Rasheem Biles and Braylan Lovelace combined for 135 stops, and Kyle Louis led the team with seven sacks, to go along with 82 tackles, in an all-star season.

- It’s always rough statistically to be in the Pitt secondary, but the talent is there. Javon McIntyre heads a solid group of safeties, and Rashad Battle is a huge corner who broke up eight passes.

The transfer portal is helping, with Kavir Bains-Marquez (UC Davis) at safety and Rashan Murray (California University of Pennsylvania) a great-tackling corner.

Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
2025 Pitt Preview
Pitt Offense Breakdown

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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