These days, college players announcing they are not entering the transfer portal and staying put at their respective program is as newsworthy as those who do seek new surroundings.
Laxed regulations on the portal have seen to that, keeping coaches everywhere on guard more so than ever before as it relates to retaining personnel.
Pitt has seen several players announce their intention to depart during the transfer portal window for FBS/FCS players (Jan. 2-16), while also welcoming its first portal acquisition Sunday from Penn offensive lineman Netinho Olivieri.
On Tuesday, defensive tackle Sean FitzSimmons became the second player, after cornerback Shawn Lee, to announce he’d be back for the Panthers in 2026.
Locked In. H2P pic.twitter.com/qUm4iuAPOZ
— $ean FitzSimmons (@seanfitz50) January 6, 2026
“Locked in” appears to be the language Pitt’s returning players are utilizing to reveal staying put with the program, as Lee used the same phrase and a similar graphic upon his own announcement Monday.
FitzSimmons was a 10-game starter for Pitt last season, recording 25 tackles (three for loss) along with a sack.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Central Valley alum and Monaca native served as an anchor on Pitt’s defensive line, although he missed the team’s three final regular-season games against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Miami due to injury.
He returned for the Military Bowl on Dec. 27, and made five tackles.
In 2026, FitzSimmons will be a redshirt senior in his final year of eligibility.
Note: Fellow interior defensive lineman Francis Brewu was reported to have entered the transfer portal Tuesday. However, he has not been removed from Pitt’s active roster.
