Climb-the-ladder linebacker whose production rose every season at Pitt — 24 tackles, then 53 with four sacks, then a team-anchoring 80 with two interceptions and a pick-six in 2025 that collected Lott Trophy weekly and ACC honors. Thirteen starts inside proved he can run a defense; the 2026 move back outside is the staff betting his range plays anywhere. However, the splash regressed inside the growth: the sack total fell from four to one as the tackle volume rose, and a modest recruiting pedigree means there is no traits benefit-of-the-doubt to borrow against — he has to test and produce his way onto boards the hard way. Fringe-draftable grade for the 2027 class with a priority-free-agent floor. The path is legible, though: a senior year pairing the 80-tackle volume with the 2024 pass-rush juice, plus a strong workout circuit, gets a three-year ACC starter a late-round call.

• Sports Illustrated Apr 3, 2023

  Freshmen LB Braylan Lovelace Turing Heads in First Practices at Pitt - Sports Illustrated