Pitt running back Desmond Reid and linebacker Kyle Louis were difficult to miss on the football field this season, and their names were equally prominent on the All-ACC football team revealed Tuesday on the ACC Network.
Reid was a first-team selection as an all-purpose back and return specialist. Plus, he was named honorable mention at running back, his main position, where he led the Panthers in yards rushing (797). He averaged 150.9 all-purpose yards (sixth in the nation), and he led the ACC with an average of 12.3 yards per punt return (ninth in the nation).
Louis was named first-team linebacker after collecting 150 voting points — the highest of any linebacker on the All-ACC team and 18 more than the second-highest vote getter. He compiled an impressive stat line with 96 tackles, 15 1/2 for a loss, seven sacks, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He also intercepted a pass on a 2-point conversion attempt.
The most recent FBS player to achieve that stat line was Utah consensus All-America linebacker Devin Lloyd in 2021.
Reid and Louis were among five Pitt players named to the All-ACC team, joining safety Donovan McMillon (second team) and linebacker Rasheem Biles and kicker Ben Sauls (third team).
McMillon had back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, getting 108 this season and 105 in 2023. He is the first Pitt player to do so since linebacker Scott McKillop in 2007 and 2008.
Biles recorded 77 tackles, 14 1/2 for a loss, 5 1/2 sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown against Syracuse. He finished 10th in the nation with an average of 1.3 TFLs per game.
Sauls led the team in scoring with 95 points while converting a nation-leading three field goals of 55-plus yards among his 18 on 21 attempts. He also was perfect on all 41 extra-point kicks. His five field goals of 50-plus yards represent a school record for a season, and his 58-yarder ties Alex Kessman (2020) for the longest in Pitt history.
Along with Reid, tight end Gavin Bartholomew, defensive tackle Nick James and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield received All-ACC honorable mention.