The news that Desmond Reid didn’t travel to Boston College for the season finale wasn’t received well by Pitt fans.
There’s an expectation now, among all college football fans, that the transfer portal is the prevailing force in all decisions. But it wasn’t with Reid remaining in Pittsburgh this weekend.
Pat Narduzzi indirectly confirmed that Reid didn’t travel due to injury.
“(Desmond Reid) will be ready for a bowl game,” Narduzzi said Saturday night after the loss to Boston College.
It is a massive boost for the Panthers, nonetheless, considering Reid has been one of the top playmakers in all of college football this season. Prior to his absence against Boston College, he served as just about the entirety of the offense.
Pitt managed just 29 yards, less than a yard per carry, on the ground against BC. It’s pretty likely that Reid would’ve made a difference on the ground — and through the air.
He was named a midseason first-team All-American by Sporting News, as an all-purpose player. And he picked another midseason All-American honor from The Athletic, numerous midseason All-ACC honors and earned a nod to the Maxwell Award watchlist, which is awarded to the most outstanding player in all of college football.
Reid racked up 151 carries for 797 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns and 47 receptions for 564 yards (12.1 yards per reception) and four touchdowns this season — adding a 78-yard punt return touchdown.
He had three 100-yard rushing performances, three 100-yard receiving performances and three multi-touchdown performances. And before the win against Syracuse, he had scored a touchdown in every game this season.
Reid has been the best player on the Pitt offense this season, serving as the heart and soul of the offense over the last month and a half, and his loss was keenly felt against Boston College.
Reid is one of the best, most versatile running backs in college football, and the Panthers will need him.
