76 Days till Kickoff: Jalen Pitre's 76 Total Tackles

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Last season Jalen Pitre recorded 76 total tackles for the Baylor Bears. He had the third most tackles on the team behind Terrel Bernard (106) and Dillon Doyle (89), but he registered a team-leading 18 tackles for loss which pushed opponents back 66 yards in total on the year.

Pitre was everywhere on the field last season for Baylor, dropping back in coverage, rushing the quarterback, jumping over blockers, and dropping runners in the backfield on any given play. One great highlight came from the Texas game, where he lunged over Bijan Robinson to punch the ball out of Casey Thompson’s hands. While the Horns recovered the ball, Jalen earned himself a sack and put Texas behind the chains yet again. The athleticism and instincts that Pitre brought every day for the Bears are why he’ll be playing for the Houston Texans on Sundays next year.

Seven of Jalen’s 76 tackles also came against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship, including two TFLs. As the offense struggled in the second half, Pitre played a huge role in the Bears’ stand against the Pokes. He was in the mix for the tackle on both 1st and 2nd & goal during the climactic finish (to greater effect on 2nd down). And more importantly, despite this article being based on his tackling numbers, one of Pitre’s 2 PBUs that afternoon came on 3rd and goal with Spencer Sanders targeting his tight end. Without Jalen playing his part, Jairon McVea would not have had the opportunity to make the most iconic play in Baylor Football history.

Aside from the team’s accomplishments, the tackling numbers coupled with Pitre’s two interceptions, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries earned Jalen Big 12 Defensive Player of the  Year and consensus All-American honors. He was the 18th consensus All-American selection for the Bears and joined a list of 14 other former players to receive the honor.

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