DT Francis Brewu Determined to Dominate in 2025 | Pitt All 105

Pitt All 105 is a Pittsburgh Sports Now series profiling each member of the Pitt 2025 training camp roster. In order to prepare for Pitt football’s 2025 season, PSN is breaking down every player on the roster in alphabetical order. Next up is defensive tackle Francis Brewu.

There’s no questioning the size and strength of Pitt defensive tackle Francis Brewu.

His squat has maxed out at 700 pounds and 475 on the bench press. He was named to The Athletic’s Freak List before even playing a snap of collegiate football.

There’s still more weight to be lifted in his eyes’, but that will come during the summer months. Since the conclusion of his true freshman campaign, the early months of the offseason have been focused primarily on critiquing his on-field ability and technique.

“I got a lot to improve on,” Brewu said during spring camp in April. “Biggest things I want to improve on is getting extensions in the run game so I can make a play. A lot of times, I’m driving my guy back – that’s cool and that’s good, but if I want to make a play, I got to get a good extension, lock out, disengage and get to the ball carrier.”

Even after earning All-Freshman honors by Pro Football Focus, Brewu is determined to carry more of that weight-room dominance onto the field.

“I’ve been working on my pass rush a lot as well because last season I was going out there trying not to make mistakes. Now I’m going out there trying to dominate and with that, I got to be a good pass rusher, so that’s what I’m working on, trying to make moves.”

Pitt defensive tackles Nick James (11), Francis Brewu (95). April 8, 2025 — Ed Thompson / PSN

Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 275 pounds
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio

2024 season: A true freshman, Brewu saw immediate playing time with action in 12 game, including a starting assignment in the GameAbove Bowl game against Toledo.

Stats: Brewu compiled 15 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He posted a season-best three tackles at SMU and recorded his first sack at Louisville.

Camp outlook: Despite a deep defensive tackle room, Brewu will compete for a starting job with Nick James, Sean FitzSimmons and Isaiah Neal. With a full year behind him, Brewu has gained valuable experience that will start to pay off towards his second season during fall camp.

Projected role: Brewu is firmly in the two-deep roster at defensive tackle. At the minimum, he will be a vital rotational piece behind the starters, or, best-case scenario for Brewu, he carves out a starting role for himself either in camp or as the season progresses.

The latter option is absolutely a possibility with the raw talent and strength that Brewu has. If he can put it all together, Brewu could be in for a really nice season wreaking havoc on opposing offensive line’s and in the backfield.

A quote about Brewu and the defensive tackles: “I think the thing we miss the most that we don’t talk about are those defensive tackles,” defensive coordinator Randy Bates said during spring camp. “Fitz is tremendous football players, Francis Brewu, Nick James. We have some really good d-tackles. I believe we are as good, if not better than we’ve been for many years at defensive tackle. Those guys you won’t hear their name probably as much, but those guys are a critical part — and when I talk about up the middle, I’m definitely talking about those guys. They’re strong. They’re big. They make plays, and they help the guys behind them make plays.