Pitt Football
Pitt Among Leaders in ‘Way-Too-Early’ Preseason All-Americans
Desmond Reid and Kyle were Pitt All-Americans after the 2024 season, and in the eyes of one college football writer, they will do it again in 2025.
Pitt is one of just seven teams with multiple “Way-too-early” preseason All-Americans in Chris Low’s ESPN article.
The return of Eli Holstein is huge for next season, but Alliance 412 and the coaching staff did an excellent job in securing two of the better players in all of college football. The future is bright for both Reid and Louis.
2025 LOADING 🔥
2 Panthers named to @espn’s Way-Too-Early All-America Team ⭐️
🟡 Kyle Louis, LB @K_009r
🔵 Desmond Reid, All-Purpose @fastboidez📰 More on our Panthers: https://t.co/F8LEcwkGrf#HailToPitt pic.twitter.com/PiwbSMBDqx
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) February 3, 2025
Reid is one of the best playmakers in college football, not missing a beat as he made the jump from FCS to FBS.
He was one of the most dynamic players in college football this season, racking up 966 rushing yards (5.3 yards per carry) and 580 receiving yards (11.1 yards per reception) in just 11 games. He was the heartbeat of the Pitt offense, the lone constant during an up-and-down season.
His 154.9 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.
Reid was targeted 32 times this season, which is tied for third-most on the team. He’s done the majority of his work short of the sticks (48 receptions on 63 targets for 455 yards and three touchdowns), but he caught three of his eight targets beyond 10 yards for 125 yards and a touchdown.
He was a yards-after-catch machine this season, which should be expected from such a dynamic target. He averaged 1.78 yards per route run this season, with an average depth of target of 2.3 yards (fourth longest among running backs with at least 40 targets).
“It’s hard to guard Desmond Reid 1-on-1,” Eli Holstein said after the win against UNC. “I don’t care who you are. It’s hard to guard that guy. So, when we get 1-on-1 with him on anybody, we’re trying to attack that guy because he’s gonna be able to make plays for us.”
Louis was the heartbeat of the Pitt defense, reaching heights unseen by any defensive players in college football. He recorded 96 tackles (41 solo), 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), a forced fumble and two pass breakups.
“Well, I don’t do the (All-American) voting, but I know that I love that he’s on our team every single Saturday,” Cory Sanders said last month. “I do know that. I know that I love that he’s on our team every single practice, the way that he works, the way he shows and the way he makes everybody else better around him. So, at the end of the day, whoever does all that voting, hopefully they vote right.”
Louis himself doesn’t care about postseason accolades, whether it’s All-ACC or All-American or more. The goal is to win, and everything will fall into place with wins.
“I don’t really focus on that type of thing, I just try to keep tunnel vision on the next team, next opponent and how can I help my people win this game,” Louis said. “That’s the main thing I just focus on.”
