Quintin Wirginis, LB, Pittsburgh: 2019 NFL Draft

2018: Wirginis was having an All-ACC caliber season before his senior year was cut short due to a non-contact practice injury in the week leading up to the Oct. 13 Notre Dame contest…had started all six games at middle linebacker and ranked as the Panthers’ most productive defender to that point, leading the team in tackles (41), tackles for loss (seven), sacks (three) and forced fumbles (tied with two)…in what would be his final game of the season, a 44-37 overtime victory over Syracuse (Oct. 6), Wirginis was especially impactful…he collected eight tackles, including a six-yard sack, and forced a crucial fumble that was returned for a 35-yard touchdown by teammate Dane Jackson…Wirginis also applied pressure on a blitz that resulted in a game-ending interception in overtime by Therran Coleman…had a career-high nine tackles against Penn State and added 2.5 TFLs, an eight-yard sack and a forced fumble…also had nine stops at North Carolina…had seven stops and an eight-yard sack against Georgia Tech…voted a Pitt captain by his teammates.

2017: Did not play in any games and redshirted.

2016: Played in all 13 games, serving as the top reserve at middle linebacker and as a key player in specialized packages…also saw special teams duty…compiled 28 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, four sacks, a fumble recovery and one PBU…had a career-high six stops against Duke, including 1.5 TFLs and a five-yard sack…had four tackles and a 10-yard sack against Penn State…had three tackles and an 11-yard sack against North Carolina…had his first career fumble recovery in the Villanova opener.

2015: Played in all 13 games on special teams and as a reserve middle linebacker…totaled 17 tackles, one PBU and a blocked punt…had a season-high five stops against Navy in the Military Bowl…had three tackles and a PBU at Duke…had three stops at Iowa…blocked a North Carolina punt, leading to a Pitt field goal.

2014: Played in all 12 regular-season games as a true freshman, serving on special teams and as a reserve linebacker…totaled five tackles…had a season-high two stops at Miami.

HIGH SCHOOL: Started three seasons at Fox Chapel before missing his entire senior year due to a foot injury…played strong safety his initial two seasons before moving to linebacker as a junior…was highly productive at outside linebacker, totaling a team-high 72 tackles with 15 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception…started at tight end on offense…sustained a right foot injury in July 2013 that required surgery…although he missed his senior football season, Wirginis finished his rehabilitation in time to be a starting forward on Fox Chapel’s basketball team…rated the No. 33 overall prospect in Pennsylvania by Scout…played under Coach Eric Ravotti.

PERSONAL: Quintin Joseph Wirginis, born 4/10/96, is the son of Terry and Pamela Wirginis…has four brothers and two sisters…earned his bachelor’s degree in communication.

Wirginis revealed at the tender age of five years old the idea of playing football was not something that he admired. He admitted he was a bit shy, but after one year the Pittsburgh, PA native fell in love with the game and more importantly – Defense and hitting people at the age of six. 

Each year the passion for defense grew as he was growing into his 6-foot-2 and 210-pound high school frame. His athleticism in high school had him playing safety, in which he said he loved because he got a little bit of a running start before laying down the law. He arrived at Pitt and immediately made his presence felt by appearing in 12 games as a true freshman. A key note to know is that Wirginis missed his senior season of high school football due to an injury and still was able to quickly make an impact with the Panthers early in his collegiate career.

For most of his time at Pitt, Wirginis served as a back-up linebacker and special teams ace. A consistent performer and it was not until his redshirt senior season that Wirginis began his assault on the ACC. The last time I recall seeing a Pitt player blossom so quickly was Aaron Donald during his senior season, that may sound a bit of a stretch, but Wirginis made an impact in nearly every game prior to his October 9th ACL injury.

The former Panthers team captain is currently ahead of schedule and diligently rehabbing to strengthen his knee and is feeling more comfortable each day running and cutting on the surgically repaired leg. 

He is instinctive. Has a nose for the ball. Sheds blocks quickly and can range to the side-line. Closes fast to the ball with great playing speed. Relishes in make the hit and has a passion to play linebacker. Wirginis has great functional strength vs. the run and can stack and shed. Takes good angles and with discipline and good technique. He makes plays at or away from him. Shows awareness to sift through traffic. Hits the gap hard when blitzing. Good coverage skills for a linebacker. He does an adequate job opening his hips and get depth in his drops. Wirginis can play a little upright at times and over pursue. His biggest question mark is durability and remaining healthy.

Injury will likely affect his draft status, but he’s too good of a linebacker to not be acquired by a savvy team looking for a player with plenty of upside. 

Brief Game Notes: 2018
vs. Penn State
Flies to the football, good in space, patrols the middle with authority, active, finds ball play after play, forced a fumble, next big play was sack on McSorley
vs. Georgia Tech
Continues to flash big play ability, sack and more hustle, breakout of player of the Panthers defense in 2018, were in Week 3, but call it now
vs. Syracuse
Continues to grow, the best mike linebacker I’ve seen at Pitt in years, a playmaker