BleacherCoaches.com

Pitt has been up and down this year, and it's been a shame that the team's play is overshadowing one of the top players in all of college football. No seriously, I would put Aaron Donald as the best defensive lineman in the country this season that has played. Clowney is a freak, but hasn't played enough to put together a magical senior season.

If Pitt has a little more talent around him, you would be hearing about Donald a lot more. He is having a ridiculous season, and with some people questioning the heart of this team, nobody is questioning the heart of Aaron Donald.

His performance against Georgia Tech has to be one of the 10 performances of the season, if not top 5. 11 Solo tackles, 6 for loss, a sack, and two forced fumbles.


Take a look at these numbers.


Ndamukong Suh's season in which he was a Heisman Finalist played across 14 games.

20.5 Tackles For Loss. 12 Sacks.


Aaron Donald's 2013 season through 10 games.

22.5 Tackles For Loss. 10 Sacks.



You see, Suh was a Heisman Finalist because he played on a respectable team, Donald gets buried with Pitt stuck at 5-5. I know the guy is undersized, but one NFL team will be getting one hell of a football player.

I love how every opponent starts the game by going 1 on 1 with Donald. After Donald blows up 2 plays in the backfield on the 1st drive, the opponent decides it's probably best to go with a double team the rest of the game.

Some teams have resorted to holding and double and triple teams. The remarkable thing is, even when he is not making plays, he is still being disruptive. Pitt's big national tv spotlight came against Notre Dame, and Herbstreit and Musberger were well aware of Donald and even called out a few times when he was being held. It's a shame he didn't make a few more plays in front of that kind of audience. Nonetheless, he is having a terrific season.

Even with this season, it has been a great career. He is the active leader in college football in the sack department. Even as a sophomore when Graham didn't know what to do with him, he lined him up as a 3-4 end, and Donald still proved to be a great player.

Funny you mention that he was a 3-4 end under Graham. I feel that is where he's best suited in the NFL.

Few articles on Donald's dominance this season....


“Remember there's no rule stating the Heisman has to go to a quarterback.”

“In my annual push for a defensive candidate, allow me to present Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald. On Saturday against Syracuse, the standout registered nine tackles (eight solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and a blocked extra point that ultimately proved the difference in a 17-16 win. On the season, Donald now has 26 tackles for loss (best in the nation), 10 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles. For perspective, 2009 Heisman finalist Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska had 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 26 hurries and two forced turnovers."


- Stewart Mandel SI


"Here's my biggest wild-card candidate. He won't win the Heisman, but he got my Lombardi vote this weekend. The Pitt DT saved the Panthers Saturday by blocking an extra-point in a 17-16 win. He also had eight solo tackles and 3.5 more TFLs. He has 26 TFLs this season, leading the country in a key defensive stat by a wide margin. Donald might scoop up a bunch of 'sure, why not?' votes."

- Bruce Feldman CBS

“Lost in all the hubbub over the crazy Heisman race is the fact that Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald is having a season for the ages.

Forget Jadeveon Clowney. He’s been all hype up to this point. When it comes to picking the best defensive player in college football, it all begins and ends with the Panthers’ No. 97.”


- Chris Huston NBC Sports

He really has been incredible. If he were having this kind of season for a top 10 team he would definitely be going to New York.

Clowney has been double and triple teamed all season, he is a known force and people aren't going to ignore him, plus he has been battling injuries all season. Donald was a nobody coming into this season but he's still racking up some good numbers down the stretch. If I would have to choose between the two, its tough, but I would probably go with clowney

You can't ignore his physical prowess and dedication to his team. But on the flip side you gotta respect the fact that Donald has stuck with it through thick and thin even when Pitt gets battered, he is there

Donald wasn't exactly a nobody, he is and was the active leader in sacks in college football. Donald gets held and double and triple teamed just the same. They are different style players, but equally as effective. Obviously, Donald is more durable.