Pitt Extends Offer to Ohio University Standout Linebacker Keye Thompson

On Monday, the Portal Report.com first reported that Pitt made initial contact with Ohio University transfer linebacker Keye Thompson.

Now, that initial phone call has turned into an offer being extended from Pitt linebackers coach Ryan Manalac to Thompson.

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The 6-foot-1, 239-pound redshirt senior linebacker from Barberton, Ohio, has one-season of athletic eligibility remaining. Since entering the portal two days ago, this becomes Thompson’s second offer (Kent State).

It’s been an up-and-down collegiate career for Thompson, who redshirted as a freshman in 2018, played all 13 games in 2019 and played in just two games in 2020 before missing the entire 2021 season.

He broke out in 2022 as a third-team All-MAC linebacker, leading the Bobcats in tackles, and he was even better in 2023 as he earned first-team All-MAC honors.

Thompson started all 13 games for Ohio last season, racking up 94 tackles (42 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three pass breakups and a forced fumble with three recoveries.

Sideline to Sideline pic.twitter.com/dBPc6tNTjw

— Keye Thompson (@keye_38) December 10, 2023

According to PFF, he racked up 17 pressures, 12 hurries and three quarterback hits as a pass rusher, and he recorded a team-high 40 run stops.

TO’s pic.twitter.com/l7qMp63teV

— Keye Thompson (@keye_38) December 10, 2023

Pitt will be without Shayne Simon, Bangally Kamara and Aydin Henningham in 2024. That’s two two-year starters (one of which was a captain) who played a lot of football in 2023. Brandon George’s return does pencil him into an increased role in 2024, but there’s room for more.

Jordan Bass, Braylan Lovelace, Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles all saw the field last season, with Bass and Louis even earning a start in 2023, and all four of them should compete for snaps in 2024. The return of George instantly fills the Mike linebacker role, but the coaching staff could still look to add another Mike ‘backer.

For all your college football transfer portal needs, check out the Portal Report and their Transfer Portal Tracker.

2023-24 College Football Transfer Portal Database