Pitt FB Recruiting
South Carolina Lands Second Former Pitt Defender
Deandre Jules decided to transfer to South Carolina earlier this offseason, and it turns out he won’t be alone in Columbia, S.C.
Bangally Kamara announced Saturday afternoon that he committed to South Carolina, landing in the SEC just over a month after officially entering the portal on the day it opened in December.
Bangally Kamara, who started at Pitt over the last two seasons, announced his intentions to enter the portal soon after the season ended, and he’s found a new home.
Kamara arrived at Pitt as a highly-touted recruit out of Akron, Ohio in the class of 2020. He did not walk on Senior Night earlier this month, which seemingly paved the way for a return next season, but he will use his two seasons of eligibility at South Carolina.
— ⛹🏾♂️ (@BangallyKamara) January 6, 2024
He committed to South Carolina over Kansas, Mississippi State, UCF and Baylor, but it’s clear he didn’t post each offer he received during his second recruiting process.
Kamara recorded 1,144 defensive snaps over the last two seasons and recorded 104 tackles (48 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery over the last two seasons, so it’s not as if Pitt wanted to lose Kamara, but the Panthers were best equipped to replace losses at outside linebacker.
Kamara missed some time early in the season, suffering an injury against West Virginia, and it was a hitch in what was a strong start to the season for the talented linebacker.
But despite all of Kamara’s talent, able to effectively play both outside linebacker spots, he never truly developed into the kind of difference-maker that many thought he was going to be over the season — winning the Ed Conway Award for most improved player in the spring in 2022.
He will now have the chance to do so at South Carolina while the Panthers will turn to a number of young outside linebackers to fill the void. Kyle Louis, Braylan Lovelace, Jordan Bass and Rasheem Biles all received playing tine last season, with Louis and Bass receiving their first career starts, and all four should compete for playing time.
Pitt has added former Ohio linebacker Keye Thompson from the transfer portal, adding a potential starting Mike linebacker in the middle, and despite the losses of Kamara and Brandon George, the Pitt linebacking corps appears to be in good shape.
For all your college football transfer portal needs, check out the Portal Report and their Transfer Portal Tracker.
