Football: Sheard named Big-East Defensive Player of the Year, six other Panthers honored

Pitt defensive end Jabaal Sheard became the fifth Panther to win the Big East Defensive Player… Pitt defensive end Jabaal Sheard became the fifth Panther to win the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award when he was given the postseason honor on Wednesday.

He finished the season with 52 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and four forced fumbles.

Sheard was a unanimous first team All-Big East selection and joins six other Panthers on the all-conference first and second teams.

Junior receiver Jon Baldwin, senior safety Dom DeCicco, senior punter Dan Hutchins and senior offensive tackle Jason Pinkston were also first team All-Big East honorees.

Baldwin made 52 catches for 810 yards and five touchdowns this season, while DeCicco finished the season with 85 tackles and five interceptions in a dual role in which he split time between linebacker and safety.

Hutchins averaged a Big East-leading 45.1 yards per punt. Pinkston has made 40 career starts in his time as a Panther.

Junior defensive end Brandon Lindsey and sophomore safety Jarred Holley were named to second the All-Big East second team.

Lindsey recorded 47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles this season.

He led the league in tackles for loss and finished second in sacks while Holley finished the season with 50 tackles to go along with five interceptions.