It’s been a priority for the Pitt coaching staff, in conjunction with Alliance 412, to lock up its star players for next season. Mission accomplished with Desmond Reid.
Reid announced on Instagram that he will return next season for second season with the Pitt Panthers, coming off an All-ACC and All-American campaign this season. It’s a huge boost for the Panthers.
And it comes after a handful of his teammates (Rashad Battle, BJ Williams, Jake Overman, Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James, Ryan Baer, Lyndon Cooper and Jahsear Whittington) have already announced a return for next season.
Reid was one of the most dynamic players in college football this season, racking up 797 rushing yards (5.3 yards per carry) and 564 receiving yards (12 yards per reception) in just 10 games. He was the heartbeat of the Pitt offense this season.
His 150.9 all-purpose yards per game were sixth in all of college football, and he was the first player since San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey in 2015 to have three games with at least 100 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards. Reid truly was the do-it-all back for the Panthers this season.
It’s a massive return for the Panthers, but the coaching staff will still likely add another veteran back from the transfer portal that currently includes Reid, Derrick Davis Jr., Juelz Goff, Synkwan Smith and Ja’yrian Turner.
Pitt didn’t finish the way it wanted to this season, dropping five games in a row, but there’s still a bowl game against Toledo. The GameAbove Sports Bowl is the last chance to hit the field this season, and Reid will look to finish the season strong.
“(Desmond Reid) will be ready for a bowl game,” Narduzzi said after the season finale against Boston College.
Pitt and Toledo are scheduled to kick off at Ford Field on Dec. 26 at 2 p.m.
