Dennis Briggs

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

Photo by: Pete Madia/Pitt Athletics

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

Photo by: Pete Madia/Pitt Athletics

Position:
DB
Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Height:
5-10
Weight:
190
Hometown:
Wilkinsburg, PA
High School:
Shady Side Academy

2018: Started all 14 games at strong safety…elected a Pitt captain by his teammates for the second consecutive year, making him the Panthers’ first multiple-time captain since Aaron Donald (2012-13)…finished third on the team with 59 tackles…added three TFLs, two sacks, three pass breakups and one forced fumble…had a career-high eight tackles against Duke…had a four-yard sack, forcing a crucial fumble that halted a Blue Devils' drive at the Pitt 11…had seven tackles, all solo, against Virginia Tech…had six stops and an eight-yard sack at Notre Dame...named to the All-ACC Academic Football Team.

2017: Played in all 12 games, making four starts at safety…starting assignments came in the opening three games of the season (Youngstown State, Penn State and Oklahoma State) as well as the Nov. 18 Virginia Tech contest…compiled 33 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception on the year…had a season-high seven stops in the YSU opener…had his first career interception against Rice, returning it 34 yards...elected a Pitt captain by his teammates, the only junior to receive that designation on the 2017 squad.

2016: Played in all 13 games to letter for the second consecutive season...served as a top reserve at strong safety and contributed on special teams...totaled 18 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one sack, one forced fumble and a PBU...had a season-high six tackles, including a seven-yard TFL, against Northwestern in the Pinstripe Bowl...had an eight-yard sack in the season opener vs. Villanova...against Penn State, forced a Saquon Barkley fumble that was recovered by Pitt teammate Mike Caprara.

2015: Played in all 13 games to letter in his first active season...served as Pitt's nickelback and on special teams...totaled seven tackles, one sack and one forced fumble...had two tackles with a 15-yard sack at Akron...also had two stops against Notre Dame.

2014: Redshirted as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Versatile performer at Shady Side Academy, contributing at running back, inside linebacker and kick returner his senior year...selected first team All-Allegheny Conference at all three positions...Pennsylvania Football News third team All-Class AA...Pittsburgh Post-Gazette North "Fabulous 22"...a four-year starter on defense, playing linebacker as well as defensive back...a three-year starter at running back...rushed for more than 1,900 career yards, averaging seven yards a carry...led Shady Side Academy to the WPIAL Class AA playoffs in each of his four seasons...rated the No. 22 prospect in Pennsylvania by 247Sports...played under Coach Dave Havern, a former quarterback at Pitt from 1968-71...Briggs was also a four-year track letterman.

PERSONAL: Dennis Albert Briggs, born 1/17/96, is the son of Dennis and Sharon Briggs...married, his wife's name is LoRen...has two sisters and one brother...earned his bachelor's degree in finance and enrolled in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business.