Alexandre returns, boosts Pitt's already stacked returning roster

Pitt's 2022 defense is going to be loaded with several of the playmakers that made it special in 2021.

That was further confirmed Friday afternoon when defensive end Deslin Alexandre announced he would return to Pitt for his final year of eligibility:

Alexandre was voted to be one of Pitt's four team captains heading into the 2021 season and has been a steady contributor for Pitt football. Under defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, Alexandre has played in 49 games for Pitt, totaling 11 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and 102 tackles. Alexandre only recorded 2.5 sacks in 2021, but two of those came in a crucial game against Virginia when he sacked Brennan Armstrong twice in Pitt's 48-38 win at Heinz Field on Nov. 7 that clinched the ACC Coastal division for the Panthers and set them up for their ACC Championship game appearance.

Alexandre won't be a definite starter for Pitt next season, but that's only because the Panthers have a number of talented defensive linemen on the roster. Defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado is set to return next season after leading the Panthers with nine sacks, matching the team high from the 2020 season set by Patrick Jones II, who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was First Team All-ACC and an All-American with seven sacks. John Morgan also returns after 5.5 sacks in 2021, giving Pitt each of its top three producers in sacks back for another year.

The only Pitt defensive lineman who sacked a quarterback in 2021 who won't return with the team is Keyshon Camp, as his he used his last year of eligibility in 2021 and is headed to the 2022 NFL Draft:

Partridge also has several promising young players on the rise within the program who will fight for playing time. Dayon Hayes recorded two sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore, with three of those tackles for loss coming in the Peach Bowl. He's a player Partridge has praised for his growth from training camp throughout Pitt's season. Pitt also has two freshmen who got to grow within the program in four-star defensive end Nahki Johnson and defensive tackle Elliot Donald, nephew to superstar Aaron Donald.

All that talent on Pitt's defensive roster means Alexandre's return won't guarantee him starts all throughout next season, which is why his return further speaks to the culture Pat Narduzzi has built for Pitt football. Alexandre could've taken his talents to another program that lacked as many promising talents on the defensive front and been a star that stood out in his final year of eligibility to build a bigger resume before entering the 2023 NFL Draft. 

But instead, Alexandre's coming back to play one more season with the Panthers around all the talent that's already been competing with him for playing time. It will give Narduzzi and Partridge plenty of good problems in training camp next season to decide who will get more starts and playing time, and the Panthers a deep, talented group of defensive linemen to deploy each week as they try to repeat as ACC champions.