A recent report previewing the 20 most impactful players entering the college football season included a Pitt Panthers standout.
Seven sacks in a season is generally seen as strong performance for edge rushers, and many cornerbacks would be pleased with four interceptions, especially if one is returned for a touchdown. Therefore, it was notable when Kyle Louis, a linebacker for the Pitt Panthers, achieved both of these milestones.
This impressive performance is no surprise given that he earned All-American honors. In addition to his seven sacks and four interceptions (including a touchdown return), Louis racked up 101 total tackles, an impressive 16 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Many of his key plays came during critical moments for the Panthers, while others helped establish an early game tone and shifted momentum in their favor. His consistent level of play has led to him receiving significant preseason recognition from Sports Illustrated.
On Friday, Bryan Fischer, a college sports writer for Sports Illustrated, published a preseason overview titled “College Football’s Top 20 Impact Players for the 2025 Season.”
One of Sports Illustrated's Top 20 Impact Players for the 2025 season 🦈
📰 https://t.co/CnoGjVsyWG@K_009r | #H2P pic.twitter.com/AsJuUsoc48
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) May 12, 2025
While it wouldn’t have been surprising to see Louis fall just short of the top group due to the abundance of talented players across the country, the redshirt junior made the cut.
“An easy preseason choice for ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Louis fills the stat sheet in nearly every way possible,” wrote Fischer in his analysis of Louis. “He blocks kicks, returns interceptions for touchdowns, rushes the passer, and effortlessly achieves double-digit tackle games.”
Some of his standout performances are noteworthy, especially during what was arguably Pitt’s most intense and competitive game of the season against West Virginia. In that match, Louis recorded a season-high 13 total tackles, along with a tackle for loss, an interception, and a pass breakup, all critical in the close 38-34 win.
He also registered two sacks and four tackles for loss against Clemson. Even in Pittsburgh’s largest defeat, a 37-9 loss to Louisville, the New Jersey native managed to achieve double-digit tackles and a tackle for loss.
Louis was one of three linebackers included in the Top 20, joining Sonny Styles from Ohio State and Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas. Click here for Bryan Fischer’s full report.
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