MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Another projected starter in the West Virginia secondary entered the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday.
Junior Derrek Pitts entered the portal a day after fellow safety Kenny Robinson did the same.
Pitts, a former 4-star recruit and South Charleston graduate who bounced around from safety to cornerback and back to safety again, and was expected to play alongside Robinson in the back end of the WVU defense this season. In 10 games last year, Pitts finished with 27 tackles — five for a loss — and grabbed an interception in the loss to Syracuse in the Camping World Bowl.
News of the transfer was first reported by 247 Sports.
Pitts is the third projected starter to enter the transfer portal since Neal Brown was hired in January. Wide receiver Marcus Simms is also expected to transfer to another school.
During spring camp, Brown said Pitts made a lot of plays defensively and brought energy, similar to what was said about Robinson.
Pitts’ potential departure would cause even more issues for an already shrinking secondary. While a safety, he also added depth at cornerback.
Junior Jake Long and sophomore E.J. Brown could be in the mix to replace Pitts. Redshirt freshman Kwantel Raines could also move back to free safety from spear, while new arrivals Osita Smith Tykee Smith could be forced into more playing time.