Kyle Louis declaring for the NFL Draft and Rasheem Biles transferring to Texas has created a major void at linebacker for Pitt as the transfer portal window (Jan. 2-16) continues.
The Panthers began to plug that gap by bringing in DeMarco Ward, who joined Pitt from Memphis on Jan. 13.
Pitt then made another addition to the linebackers, as Alex Sanford Jr. confirmed a commitment to the Panthers on social media Tuesday.
@Pitt_FB .. how we say it now “HAIL 2 the Pitt” ???????????? pic.twitter.com/L6DOL8YUJh
— Alex Sanford Sr (@AyeSanford) January 13, 2026
Sanford, a 6-foot-1, 232-pound player, spent last season at Purdue, where he recorded 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and pass breakup in 12 games (nine starts).
A native of Oxford, Miss., Sanford began his college career at Arkansas, where he appeared in 23 games from 2023-24, almost exclusively on special teams.
Sanford will arrive at Pitt a senior and join Ward, Cameron Lindsey and Braylan Lovelace as some of the most experienced players in new position coach Joe Bowen’s room.