Mason Heintschel Pitt QB

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published June 17, 2026, 7:42 AM

Why a Phil Steele Honor Still Matters

Steele the Best in the Business

  • Phil Steele remains one of the most trusted voices in college football preview coverage.
  • His annual magazine is widely used by media, scouts and fans alike.
  • Pitt landed nine preseason All-ACC selections in 2026.
  • The Panthers tied SMU for the fourth-most selections in the conference.
  • Pitt earned representation on all four All-ACC teams.

Long before social media rankings and offseason hype machines became the norm, Phil Steele built his reputation through exhaustive research and attention to detail. His annual college football preview magazine has become required reading for many coaches, scouts, analysts and diehard fans searching for an edge.

That is why Pitt’s placement of nine players on Steele’s 2026 Preseason All-ACC Team carries weight. These honors aren’t based solely on recruiting rankings or name recognition. Steele’s selections reward proven production, experience and projected impact entering the upcoming season.

For Pitt, the recognition serves as validation that the Panthers possess one of the ACC’s deeper rosters. Landing nine players across all four teams and tying SMU for the fourth-highest total in the conference illustrates the talent currently assembled in Pittsburgh.

While preseason accolades do not guarantee victories, they provide a strong indication of how national observers view the Panthers entering 2026.

Braylan Lovelace Earns First-Team Recognition

Loveland’s Impact at Pitt

  • Braylan Lovelace was Pitt’s lone First-Team selection.
  • He led the Panthers with 80 tackles in 2025.
  • Lovelace started all 13 games last season.
  • He enters 2026 as one of the ACC’s premier linebackers.
  • The Leechburg native has become a cornerstone of Pitt’s defense.

If there is one Panther who embodies consistency and production, it is Braylan Lovelace. The senior linebacker enters the season carrying First-Team All-ACC recognition from Phil Steele after emerging as one of the conference’s most complete defenders.

Lovelace led Pitt with 80 tackles during the 2025 season while starting all 13 games. His ability to impact games in multiple ways has made him one of the leaders of the defense and a player opponents must account for every week.

Over three seasons, Lovelace has appeared in 37 games with 17 starts while compiling 157 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Those numbers reflect a defender capable of changing momentum whether he is stopping the run, rushing the passer or dropping into coverage.

Entering his senior season, Lovelace is no longer viewed as an emerging talent. He is one of the faces of Pitt football and one of the ACC’s most respected linebackers.

Nick James Headlines Pitt’s Second-Team Selection

Big No. 11 Notes

  • Nick James earned Second-Team All-ACC honors.
  • He represents Pitt’s defensive line presence.
  • Interior defensive linemen often receive less attention than edge rushers.
  • James gives Pitt a powerful presence inside.
  • His recognition highlights Pitt’s defensive strength.

Phil Steele’s Second-Team All-ACC selection of defensive tackle Nick James speaks volumes about the respect he has earned around the conference. While flashy statistics often belong to skill players, games are frequently won and lost at the line of scrimmage.

James has developed into a key figure within Pitt’s defensive front. His ability to occupy blockers, disrupt running lanes and create opportunities for teammates makes him one of the more valuable pieces of the Panthers’ defense.

Defensive tackles rarely receive widespread acclaim unless they consistently impact games, and Steele’s recognition suggests James has done exactly that. Pitt’s defensive success has long been built on physical play in the trenches, and James continues that tradition.

As opponents prepare for the Panthers, James is one of the first defenders offensive coordinators must identify. His Second-Team selection reinforces the belief that Pitt’s defensive line remains among the ACC’s most competitive units entering the season.

Third-Team Honors Showcase Pitt’s Balance

Offensive Line Highlights Third Team Honors

  • Ryan Baer earned Third-Team honors at offensive tackle.
  • Cruce Brookins was recognized at safety.
  • BJ Williams landed Third-Team recognition at offensive guard.
  • Pitt placed players on both sides of the football.
  • Experience and versatility define this group.

The Third-Team selections reveal one of Pitt’s greatest strengths entering 2026: roster balance. Offensive tackle Ryan Baer, safety Cruce Brookins and offensive guard BJ Williams each earned recognition from Phil Steele.

Baer and Williams give the Panthers two experienced offensive linemen capable of providing stability in front of the quarterback. Success often starts in the trenches, and having multiple linemen recognized among the conference’s best is an encouraging sign for Pitt’s offense.

On the defensive side, Brookins continues to establish himself as a dependable playmaker in the secondary. Safeties are often responsible for cleaning up mistakes, directing coverages and providing leadership on the back end of the defense.

Together, these three selections highlight a roster built on more than star power. Pitt features experienced contributors at several critical positions, giving the Panthers a solid foundation entering ACC competition.

Fourth-Team Selections Reveal Pitt’s Depth

ACC QB Depth Highlights Heintschel 4th Team Honors

  • Mason Heintschel threw 16 touchdowns in 2025
  • Isaiah Neal was recognized at defensive end.
  • Alex Sanford Jr. landed a spot at linebacker.
  • Ja’Kyrian Turner received recognition at running back.
  • Depth remains one of Pitt’s biggest strengths.

The Fourth-Team selections may be the most telling indicator of Pitt’s overall roster quality. Quarterback Mason Heintschel, defensive end Isaiah Neal, linebacker Alex Sanford Jr. and running back Ja’Kyrian Turner all found their way onto Phil Steele’s preseason list.

Having four additional players recognized demonstrates the depth currently present throughout the program. Pitt isn’t relying on a handful of stars. Instead, the Panthers possess contributors at quarterback, running back and multiple defensive positions.

Neal and Sanford help reinforce the physical identity of Pitt’s defense, while Turner provides another offensive weapon capable of making plays. Meanwhile, Heintschel’s recognition highlights the quarterback talent within the program.

Championship-caliber teams are often defined by depth as much as star power. Injuries, long seasons and difficult conference schedules demand quality throughout the roster. Pitt’s four Fourth-Team selections help illustrate why expectations continue to rise for the Panthers entering the 2026 season.

 

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