Pitt predicted to finish middle of the pack in 2025, secures two All-ACC nods
The conference media predicts that the Pitt Panthers will finish right in the middle of the pack in 2025.
The conference media voted upon its preseason ACC Poll at the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte last week and have the Panthers in the No. 9 spot. That’s dead center.
Pitt was slightly below average in the conference last season, going 3-5 in the ACC, and while Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers are aiming for the top this season, it’s easier said than done. The Panthers play three of the top five teams as voted by the conference media.
But then again, it’s a slate that doesn’t include Clemson or SMU.
Clemson earned the lion’s share of first-place votes, and Miami, SMU, Georgia Tech and Louisville round out the top five. Pitt will play Miami, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Florida State (7), North Carolina State (10), Syracuse (12), Boston College (13) and Stanford (17).
Preseason ACC Poll
- Clemson – 3,083 points (167 first-place votes)
- Miami – 2,679 (7)
- SMU – 2,612 (2)
- Georgia Tech – 2,397 (2)
- Louisville – 2,370
- Duke – 1,973
- Florida State – 1,920 (4)
- North Carolina – 1,611
- Pitt – 1,571
- North Carolin State – 1,505
- Virginia Tech – 1,412 (1)
- Syracuse – 1,381
- Boston College – 953
- Virginia – 871
- Cal – 659
- Wake Forest – 576
- Stanford – 426
Pitt also had two players earn a preseason first-team All-ACC nod, and it’s exactly who you’d expect. Desmond Reid earned 73 votes and slotted in at all-purpose, and Kyle Louis earned 98 points.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik earned the vast majority of preseason Player of the Year votes (146), but Reid, Louis and Eli Holstein all earned two votes each – tied for seventh.
In 13 games last season, Louis recorded 101 tackles (45 solo), 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a blocked extra point (returned for a safety).
Reid racked up 184 carries for 966 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and five touchdowns, adding 52 receptions for 579 yards and four touchdowns and a 78-yard punt return touchdown – earning All-American honors.
Holstein completed 180-of-291 pass attempts for 2,228 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 328 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground. He was one of the best freshmen quarterbacks in college football.
