Pitt LB Kyle Louis.
Early in his career, Lavonte David was often called the next Derrick Brooks. He was that man.
Brooks was famous on and off the field. A total terror on the field — just ask Tory Holt’s ribs — and off with all his charity work.
David was as fierce and also charitable. Brooks and David were the pinnacles of professional football players. But the two never really had a direct connection in the sense that there was a three-season gap from when Brooks last played for Tampa Bay and David snapped on the chin strap for the Bucs.
Now that David is retired, might the latest next Brooks be selected by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht?
Joe is a huge, huge fan of ESPN draft analyst Louis Riddick. The guy is so smart and always brings a fresh observation to player analysis.
Riddick is a former NFL defensive back (played for Bill Belichick and Nick Saban in Cleveland) and was a scout and later personnel executive under Howie Roseman in Philadelphia.
Also a personnel suit under Roseman was Jason Licht. So it wouldn’t shock Joe if Licht might have a similar eval of an ACC linebacker.
Joe gives Riddick a bit of slack because he is a big-time Pitt homer. That’s where he played and went ot college. But for Riddick to throw around the name of a Bucs legend, a Hall of Fame linebacker, with the following college linebacker got Joe to pay attention.
Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis is expected to be a second-day draft pick. The crowd at WalterFootball.com actually has Louis ranked as the No. 3 off-the-ball linebacker behind Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles.
Louis is known for his speed, his pass coverage skills and his “dangerous” ability to blitz. Louis ran a 4.53-second 40 yard dash at the combine. Compare that with David who ran a 4.65 40 at his combine. Brooks was reported to have run a 40 in 4.45.
In the last two seasons for Pitt, Louis has 24 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 10 sacks.
Some 24 tackles for loss in two years sure sounds like David.
If a guy like Riddick thinks Louis is the next Brooks, Joe’s antennae are at full extension.
(In the video below, Louis is No. 9.)
Going to keep saying it…in a world where everyone wants a “comp”, this young man is gonna be like the great LB Derrick Brooks. ✍🏾 https://t.co/QRhgXrR7vX
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 29, 2026
Are we sleeping on Pitt LB Kyle Louis in the Draft? 🤔
Since 2024:
182 total tackles
31 TFL/no gain (1st)
10 sacks
50 QB pressures (1st)
6 INTs
Run def grade: 85.4
Passer rating when targeted: 56
Coverage grade: 83.1
pic.twitter.com/x0PfpVp0se
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) February 19, 2026