Pitt defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman has been named a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports, the second selector to honor Twyman in advance of his redshirt junior season.
Twyman was named a second-team All-American by six selectors after a breakout campaign in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore. He was also named a first-team All-ACC selection.
Twyman was also named a 2020 preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Athlon Sports also selected Twyman’s teammate, Paris Ford, as preseason All-American.
Twyman was a full-time starter for the first time in his career in 2019, starting all 13 games after making just one start in 2018. He recorded 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, becoming the first defensive tackle to lead the Panthers in quarterback sacks since Aaron Donald in 2013.
Twyman could have entered the 2020 NFL Draft, but chose to return to Pitt along with Ford, fellow defensive lineman Patrick Jones II and safety Damar Hamlin.
Twyman and Camp could be the best DT tandem in the ACC if Camp, who’s extremely talented but as durable as a porcelain China doll, can stay healthy. With the DL putting pressure on the QB and the secondary, this could be a special defense. Hopefully KP and the offense can put points on the board and avoid putting the D in bad positions.
Hopefully these guys all play with the same passion and determination as last year. The only thing that can get in the way of this being an elite defense is themselves.
Unfortunately we have all seen players believe all the hype and not have good years, but all these guys decided to pass up the nfl to come back so I really dont think we will see that with this group.