The transfer portal window has officially closed, and for Pitt football, the whirlwind of roster movement is finally beginning to settle. Between outgoing transfers, early NFL declarations, and a fresh crop of incoming talent, it’s been a busy few weeks in Pittsburgh. But now, with the portal shut and spring football on the horizon, the Panthers can begin shaping what their 2026 team will look like-especially at linebacker, where change is already underway.
Let’s start with the headline: Pitt lost 24 players to the transfer portal during the January window. Some were walk-ons, but others were meaningful contributors-including All-ACC linebacker Rasheem Biles, who’s headed to Texas. That’s a big hit for a defense that’s long prided itself on toughness and speed at the second level.
And Biles isn’t the only notable departure. In addition to the portal exits, Pitt saw 20 players graduate and linebacker Kyle Louis declare early for the NFL Draft. That’s a significant chunk of experience and leadership walking out the door in one offseason.
But it hasn’t been all losses. Pitt has been aggressive in reloading.
The program signed 21 high school recruits during the early signing period in December and added 17 transfers from the portal. That’s 38 new faces coming into the building, and while not all will contribute right away, there’s a clear intent to restock the depth chart across the board.
Nowhere is that more evident than at linebacker, where the room is going to look very different come fall. With Biles gone and Louis off to the pros, the Panthers are in the middle of a full-on reset at the position. That means opportunity-and questions.
Who steps into those vacated roles? Which of the new additions are ready to contribute immediately? And how does the coaching staff plan to retool the defense around a younger, less proven linebacker corps?
These are the kinds of questions that will start to get answered once spring ball kicks off in about two months. For now, Pitt fans can take some comfort in knowing the chaos of the portal window is behind them. The roster may be changing, but the foundation is being laid for what comes next.
We’ll be breaking down each position group in the coming days, and there’s plenty more to unpack. But one thing’s already clear: Pitt’s linebacker room is entering a new era, and the next few months will be all about figuring out who’s ready to lead it.