Brandon George Shows Promise as Leader and Steps Up for Pitt Defense

  Pitt redshirt senior linebacker Brandon George has been a part of many difficult losses this season, but has persevered, shown promise in his own game and led his team when called upon.

Ge0rge is in his fifth season with the Panthers and has already reached his career-high in total tackles on the season with 39, with 21 solo tackles too. He saw limited time in 2022 due to injury, just three games, and last played a full season in 2021, where he made 34 total tackles, 18 solo, and 5.0 tackles for loss.

He starred Saturday night in the 24-7 loss to No. 4 Florida State at Acrisure Stadium. His seven total tackles ranked first on Pitt and he his 10 total tackles were the most for Pitt along with junior defensive back Donovan McMillon. Brandon George also had 2.5 tackles for loss, the most for Pitt in the loss as well.

“We just came out trying to play football like we have since we were young,” George said on the defensive performance in the loss. “That’s all the reason everybody comes out. Everybody from all around the country comes out to play football and that’s all we came out to do. Tried our hardest, punch them in the mouth from the get-go and that’s what we try to do as a Pitt defense.”

George’s best play of the game came in the first quarter, as he tackled Seminoles redshirt junior running back Trey Benson on fourth down and two on the eight-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs. While George gave credit to himself for the play, he also made sure to credit the 10 other guys on the field with him to make that great stop.

“That’s a big defense play,” George said. “That’s not just me, that’s the front seven, that’s the back four, that’s Pitt defense as a whole. That’s us flying to the ball, everyone doing their job and making sure we play like Pitt.”

George made his first interception of his career the previous game, a 58-7 loss to then ranked No. 14 Notre Dame on the road last Saturday. He tipped graduate student quarterback Sam Hartman’s pass and caught it for a short return, but most importantly, he foiled Notre Dame in the red zone, keeping the game within a touchdown in the first quarter.