Former Berks Catholic star Brandon George finally gets his opportunity to shine at Pitt

Brandon George waited a long time for his opportunity to come while playing behind some linebackers who are in the NFL and some who are not.

He waited through an injury-shortened year. He waited through great seasons and not-so-great seasons.

He played 52 games over five seasons before he made his first start for the Pitt football team. When it finally came Saturday, he delivered.

George had seven tackles and a strip sack in the Panthers’ 55-24 romp past Kent State at Acrisure Stadium.

As usual, he wouldn’t let his guard down this week and admit how happy he was. He chooses to look ahead rather than back. But the tone of his voice was different, lighter, than it had been for a few years.

“It’s been a long road,” said Neil George, Brandon’s father. “It looks like there’s a weight off his shoulders. He’s happy as a clam.”

The journey of the former Berks Catholic star is one of resilience, perseverance and loyalty. He could have transferred. He even placed his name in the portal after the 2023 regular season before choosing to return to the university and football program he calls home.

“It was a very difficult time,” he said about that two-week period, “but I’m glad I stayed with my brothers here. I’m glad I chose to stay home.”

Now he’s a team captain and a leader on a defense that returned just three starters.

“When my name was called as a team captain, I was ecstatic,” George said. “I was happy. At the end of the day, I’m one of many. I get to be the face, but I’m not the only one.”

He’s one of the most experienced players on the roster, along with seventh-year linebacker Keye Thompson, a transfer from Ohio University. His teammates call him, “Unc.”

“I want to lead by example,” George said. “I want to lead us to win games. Last year (when Pitt went 3-9) we all tried to lead and it didn’t come out the way we wanted to. We’ve learned from some of the mistakes we made last year.

“Everybody’s on the same page. Everybody’s going in the same direction to win football games.”

George was a four-star prospect in Pitt’s 2019 recruiting class after he rushed for 2,753 yards, made 347 tackles and helped lead Berks Catholic to a dazzling 48-8 record in his four seasons.

He played in every game but three in his first three seasons with the Panthers before suffering an injury that limited him to four games in 2022.

Last year he was fifth on the team with 49 tackles while playing behind Solomon DeShields, who finished with 58 with much more playing time.

“Brandon is a take-charge type of leader,” said Ryan Manalac, Pitt’s linebackers coach. “He isn’t afraid to assert himself and be that second coach in our room, especially if he feels his teammates need that extra voice.

“Brandon really is poised for his most impactful year yet. Physically, mentally and from a knowledge standpoint, he is at his very highest level. I’m excited for him because he’s put in the work.”

It was Manalac who called him every day he was in the transfer portal to convince him to stay at Pitt.

“That was very pivotal, knowing I still had a place,” George said. “We weren’t in complete agreement on some things. But he wanted me and the coaching staff still wanted me. This place is still truly home.”

In the opener against Kent State, George stripped the football from quarterback Devin Kargman and recovered the fumble in the fourth quarter. He was named to the Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week for his performance.

He’s also trying to raise $30,000 through UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) to fight childhood cancer, a cause near and dear to him because of his friendship with high school teammate Anthony Myers, who died from brain cancer.

After not knowing if or when he’d get to start at Pitt, after all the ups and downs, George’s life couldn’t be better now.

“My wife (Stacie) and I were always excited to watch him play, even when he was on special teams.” Neil George said. “It’s just a different energy now. We get to see him do what he’s good at and be the guy.

“It’s like, ‘Wow, that’s my boy out there!’ He’s going to be a dog now.”

Brandon George hasn’t talked much about the lows over the last five years. And true to form, he said his first start wasn’t anything special even if after 52 games it was.

“There definitely have been ups and downs throughout my career,” he said, “but the last five years have definitely flown by. When you spend every day doing something you love, time definitely flies by.

“Going through everything I’ve gone through has been a good learning experience. I’m happy to be here in Pittsburgh.”

Source: Berkshire mont