Pitt was expected to have a standout secondary this season, and while it didn’t quite come to fruition, one of the unit’s leaders will be back next season.
Javon McIntyre — a 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety from Bear, Del. — announced on Instagram Friday night that he will return to Pitt for his final season of eligibility. It’s a move that helps provide some veteran experience to what will be a young unit.
Donovan McMillon and P.J. O’Brien Jr. have exhausted their eligibility, and it leaves McIntyre as the lone “veteran” in the room.
McIntyre initially committed to Pitt as a three-star recruit out of Imhotep Charter in the class of 2021, one of the early forays into the Philly area by safeties coach Cory Sanders and the coaching staff.
He broke out with a strong performance against UCLA in the 2022 Sun Bowl and worked his way into the starting lineup over the last two seasons.
McIntyre recorded 574 defensive snaps this season, splitting time with O’Brien at field safety, and it wasn’t the easiest season. He recorded 51 tackles (30 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups. But he struggled in coverage over the latter half of the season.
It could be that McIntyre is more suited for the boundary safety role in the defense, where McMillon has played over the last two seasons.
He’s recorded 154 tackles (82 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a fumble recovery during his four seasons in Pittsburgh.
The safeties will look very different next season as Cruce Brookins, who recorded an interception in the GameAbove Sports Bowl against Toledo, and Jesse Anderson step into more prominent roles. And the coaching staff will likely look to add a veteran defensive back.
Is there any update on the players that did not play in the bowl? What happened to Battle? Did he play at CB yesterday??