Pitt Given Harsh Grade for Spring Transfer Portal Window Activity

Pitt lost more than it added this offseason, but with a bloated roster, it was a necessity. Of course, there were a few tough losses, but for the most part, the Panthers got by pretty well.

In the spring window, Pitt added two commits and lost five players to the transfer portal — and they’re still over the scholarship limit. Dayon Hayes and Solomon DeShields were disappointing losses, and would-be starters next season, but the additions of Jaremiah Anglin Jr. and Chief Borders were vital.

Rivals didn’t like the spring window but the evaluation was interesting, to say the least. Rivals’ Jacey Zembal gave Pitt a D grade in the spring window, writing:

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“Pittsburgh lost 12 players to the second transfer portal window, and took some hits on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive linemen Hayes and Okunlola picked Colorado, and DeShields at outside linebacker is headed to Texas A&M.”

If we’re looking at just the spring window, Pitt didn’t lose 12 players. And the “spring window” included Samuel Okunlola, who entered the portal last year. So. That might be indicative of how to view this ranking. As previously mentioned, Pitt landed two commitments and had five transfer portal entrants this spring.

How did each ACC program do in the spring transfer portal window? pic.twitter.com/6K3z6dIshl

— Rivals (@Rivals) May 17, 2024

Arrivals 

R-Fr. DB Jaremiah Anglin Jr. — Kentucky

R-Jr. DE Chief Borders — Nebraska

Departures

S-Sr. DE Dayon Hayes — Colorado

R-Sr. LB Solomon DeShields — Texas A&M

R-Jr. QB Christian Veilleux — Georgia State

R-Fr. WR Israel Polk — undecided

R-Jr. TE Cole Mitchell — undecided

If we’re truly just looking at the spring window, which is what the article says it’s doing, then we’ll go based on the spring window.

Hayes and DeShields were tough losses that wound up committing to NIL-rich programs. That’s what happens in today’s college football. Christian Veilleux went down to the Group of Five level, which is a good fit for him, and Izzy Polk and Cole Mitchell haven’t committed anything yet.

Anglin and Borders were big pickups. I wouldn’t be surprised if both newcomers carve out serious roles in the defense next season. And both have multiple seasons of eligibility remaining.

A D grade by Rivals feels disingenuous, but looking at the entire list, it’s not a surprise.

I wouldn’t say that Pitt knocked the spring window out of the park, but it secured its paramount players and brought in a couple of potential high-impact transfers. That feels higher than a D.

Full ACC grades:

Miami — A-

SMU — B+

Syracuse — B

Cal — B

Louisville — B-

Duke — C

Georgia Tech — C

North Carolina State — C

Florida State — C

Boston College — D

Clemson — D

North Carolina — D

Pitt — D

Stanford — D

Virginia — D

Virginia Tech — D

Wake Forest — D