Pitt LB Kyle Louis.

Lord knows the Bucs need a linebacker. And when Derrick Brooks’ name is invoked, Joe’s antennae are up.

And speaking of up, former Pitt defensive back, Bill Belicheat and Nick Saban protégé and former NFL personnel suit Louis Riddick of ESPN pitches a tent for Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis. So much so Riddick thinks he is the next Derrick Brooks.

The reference is to a guy who many NFL people may want — and wanted — to turn into a safety due to his size but is a gamewrecker with his speed as a linebacker.

And it seems Riddick’s ESPN colleague Ben Solak also is a big fan of Louis. Solak put together a list of his favorite tape of college palyers at each position. At linebacker is Louis.

You have to trust the tape on Louis, who tipped the scales in Indianapolis at 220 pounds. Only 11 linebackers have been lighter at the NFL combine since 1999.

That is not linebacker weight in the NFL, as the only guys playing at that size are safety converts like Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Jamien Sherwood.

To that point, Louis was often used by Pitt as an overhang defender — an alignment filled in the NFL by a variety of slot corners or box safeties. This allowed Louis to chase plays into the boundary unblocked, or chase down runs from the backside unimpeded. It tested him in coverage but Louis responded well to that ask, with the explosive change-of-direction skills of a true defensive back. …

Louis looks and plays and moves and acts like a supersize box safety. I think he can be a Joshua Metellus-like player — a “safety” who spends most of his time lined up on the edge, taking on tight ends in both the running and passing game. But that’s only if he lands in a Brian Flores-esque defense, which has that critical third safety role for him. In a Jim Schwartz-style system, he’d have to become Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the speedy pursuit ‘backer whose game is built on penetration.

Louis is a true tweener, and his landing spot will determine what position he plays in the NFL. He has the speed, open-field tackling and disposition to stick on special teams for a long time, which will help him grow into whatever unique NFL job awaits him.

Solak seems to think Louis is a Day 2 pick, maybe early Day 3. Riddick is a bit higher on Louis. Joe doesn’t know if that is Riddick’s eye for talent or his Pitt homerism, which is OK in Joe’s book.

The thing Joe learned a long time ago from famed baseball manager Whitey Herzog is that speed kills. You cannot coach it up. You cannot manufacture it. Either a guy has it or he doesn’t.

And if you don’t have speed to combat an opponent’s speed, you are SOL in a big way.

Kyle Louis – Nickel – Pittsburgh
Some game film of Louis to illustrate his recognition and burst downhill to get after the football. Louis is slotted as a Day 2 or 3 pick after a accomplished career at Pittsburgh that included 200 tackles, 25 TFL's, 10 Sacks and 6 INT's. pic.twitter.com/rCTZdWp5ue

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) March 25, 2026