The Pitt ‘Sharks’ Could be the Best LB Unit in Football Next Season

It was a pretty good Friday for Pitt linebackers coach Ryan Manalac.

Manalac has done a good job with the Pitt linebackers over the last few seasons, and his unit was strong this season. And with Friday’s news, he should be excited about the potential of his strongest unit yet.

Pitt received a major boost in the form of three “I’m coming back!” announcements: All-American Star linebacker Kyle Louis, All-ACC Money linebacker Rasheem Biles and breakout candidate Mike linebacker Braylan Lovelace.

Louis announced the news early Friday, paving the way for Biles and Lovelace — the trio is very likely to be the starting unit in 2025.

With the losses of Brandon George and Keye Thompson to graduation, there’s a hole at Mike linebacker. Louis and Biles are firmly entrenched at Star and Money, respectively, and while Lovelace has flitted around both outside linebacker spots, he has the ability to be a difference-maker on the inside.

He’s a smart, cerebral football player who has the ability to play at either outside linebacker spot. It’s reminiscent of former Pitt star SirVocea Dennis.

Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Braylan Lovelace (0) November 16, 2024 David Hague/PSN

Louis was one of the very best football players in college football this season, earning first-team All-American honors from Sporting News and a smattering of second-team honors. He picked up first-team All-ACC honors, finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and still flew under the radar.

He racked up 101 tackles (45 solo), 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), a forced fumble, eight pass breakups, a blocked point-after attempt (and safety) and picked off a two-point conversion attempt.

Biles was right up there beside Louis all season, earning second-team All-ACC honors as he stepped into the starting lineup. He added 82 tackles (46 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble, a recovery and nine pass breakups.

Lovelace often served as a fourth starter, rotating into the lineup alongside Louis and Biles. He racked up 53 tackles (23 solo), 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown and a pass breakup.

There’s a whole lot of defensive versatility in the linebacking corps, players with All-American potential and NFL Draft hopes, and they should only get better with another season to gel together. It’s truly a unit with best in the country potential — even with that lofty title.

And they’re not alone. Jeremiah Marcelin, Cam Lindsey and Davin Brewton will all have a chance to work into the rotation — especially Marcelin, who burned his redshirt this season.

The Pitt linebacking corps should be one of the best units in the country next season, and the star-studded trio will be hard to take off the field.