Pitt running back Paris Brown has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report by 247 Sports.
Brown, a 5-foot-10 native of Powder Springs, Georgia, just finished his redshirt freshman season with the Panthers, and saw his first playing time, appearing in one game against Virginia Tech and making two tackles on special teams.
A three-star prospect out McEachern High School, Brown walked on at Pitt before the 2019 season, but was unable to fight through a large group of scholarship running backs to earn a more significant role in his two seasons with the Panthers.
Thanks to the blanket eligibility waiver for the 2020 season, Brown will still have four seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining at his new institution. Players that enter the transfer portal do not have to transfer and can return to their previous school if permitted by their coach to do so.
Pitt has seven running backs currently expected to be on scholarship in 2021: Israel Abanikanda, Daniel Carter, A.J. Davis, Vincent Davis, Rodney Hammond, Malik Newton and Todd Sibley Jr.
James Conner started Pitt life as a defensive linemen (and finished it as a DE in the Pizza Bowl) and got his break in training camp due to shortage of running backs. You never know the future. Follow your dream.
I looked up Brown’s offer list and he had an offer from Arkansas St from their previous coaching staff. Perhaps Coach Harley will bring Brown with him?
Brown sounds like a great character guy with a winning background. While RB is a position that has a lot of injuries (For example, PSU’s 4th stringer became a starter due to injuries/retirement), 7 scholarship RBs is a lot to overcome.
https://n.rivals.com/news/the-big-opportunity-for-paris-brown
Good on Brown for utilizing the one-time transfer rule. Best of luck!