Pitt had to battle to keep Francis Brewu when he came out of high school, warding off late interest from a couple of programs, and the coaching staff has once again locked him back up.
Brewu — a 6-foot-1, 280-pound rising sophomore from Westerville, Ohio — announced on social media that he will return for his second season with the Panthers. It’s a big boost for the present and future of the program.
Brewu and classmate Jahsear Whittington, four-star defensive linemen in the class of 2024, have both announced their returns next season.
Brewu initially committed to Pitt as a four-star recruit out of Thomas Worthington High in Ohio, enrolling early. He made an immediate impression upon his teammates and the coaching staff — emerging as the strongest player on the team.
Brewu recorded 214 snaps this season, picking up more and more playing time as the season unfolded. He racked up six pressures, three hurries and two quarterback hits, according to PFF.
He racked up 13 tackles (two solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack this season.
“Francis started off a little bit robotic, but he’s a pleaser,” Pat Narduzzi said earlier this year. “When you talk about a 4-3 and — he’s a guy that’s just trying to do exactly what Coach Daoust or we want him to do every play, and if you tell him to stay in his A-gap, stay in his A-gap. He’s really consistent with his footwork and doing what he’s supposed to do.
“Probably the hardest transition was just trying to teach him how to run to the ball. He’d play the run and turn around and look like this for a while and see where the ball is going, but he’s improved there.”
Pitt is set to return a nice group of defensive linemen with Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James and Isaiah Neal (with FitzSimmons and James already announcing their returns), and Whittington and Brewu are in line for a major increase in snaps. The defensive line wasn’t perfect this season, but there are reasons for optimism.
Rashad Battle, BJ Williams, Jake Overman, Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James, Ryan Baer, Lyndon Cooper, Jahsear Whittington and Jimmy Scott have already announced they’re returning next season, and Brewu is the latest to do so.
