Chief Borders spent one season at Pitt, but next season, he will be at his fourth school in five years.
Borders — a 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive end from Carrollton, Ga. — entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, Pete Nakos of On3 reported. It’s a loss for the Panthers considering he was expected to compete in the starting rotation next season.
Pitt lost Sincere Edwards to the portal over the weekend, and with Borders hitting the portal himself, it leaves the depth in the defensive line room rather thin.
Borders committed to Pitt last season, after spending a season at Nebraska, and he spent his first two college seasons at Florida. So, he’s well-traveled in his collegiate career.
He played 309 defensive snaps this season, the most of his college career, and he recorded 11 tackles (two solo), a tackle for loss and a half sack. He wasn’t an impact contributor for the Panthers, but his exit leaves the defensive ends lacking depth.
Pitt needs to replace Nate Matlack in the starting lineup next season, and with Edwards and Borders hitting the portal, Jimmy Scott is the only defensive end with legitimate experience. Nate Temple has a chance to return, and Maverick Gracio, Zach Crothers and signees Denim Cook and Julian Anderson will be in the mix.
Pitt has its core defensive tackles in Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James and Isaiah Neal (with Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington primed for bigger seasons), but the need for edge rushers will be addressed — and it needs to be.
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