Pitt CB Jahvante Royal Enters the Transfer Portal

Royal arrived as a four-star defensive back out of powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas in 2020, but he wasn’t able to carve out a consistent path for playing time — offensively or defensively.

The Pitt coaching staff experimented with Royal’s positional flexibility during the 2022 season, but he was moved back to the defensive side of the ball for the 2023 season. He didn’t take any snaps defensively last season but did take 49 special teams snaps — recording a tackle against Virginia Tech.

Royal recorded 86 special teams snaps during his time at Pitt, and he will have two seasons of eligibility to carve out a role on the defensive side of the ball.

Pitt has a young, inexperienced cornerback room entering the 2024 season, one that was bolstered by the arrival of Kentucky transfer Jaremiah Anglin Jr. Sunday. It’s likely that Rylan Gandy will lead the room, and Rashad Battle, Tamon Lynum, Tamarion Crumpley and Noah Biglow are in the mix for playing time.

Ford is the eighth Panther to hit the portal this spring, following defensive end Dayon Hayes (Colorado), linebacker Solomon DeShields (Texas A&M), quarterback Christian Veilleux, defensive end Antonio Camon, wide receiver Israel Polk, tight end Cole Mitchell and offensive lineman Dorien Ford.

Pitt, after figuring out what happens with Nate Temple’s scholarship this season, is at the 85-scholarship threshold after Royal’s exit.