University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Louis Selected by Dolphins in Fourth Round of NFL Draft
4/25/2026 2:10:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH-Linebacker Kyle Louis became the latest Pitt Football standout to reach the next level, as he was selected in the fourth round (No. 138 overall) by the Miami Dolphins in the 2026 NFL Draft.
A team captain and one of the most decorated defensive players in recent Pitt history, Louis leaves the program as one of college football's premier linebackers and a proven playmaker on the national stage.
Louis capped his collegiate career with a strong 2025 season, starting all 11 games he appeared in and totaling 81 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He recorded four double-digit tackle performances and earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors twice, while adding second-team All-ACC recognition from the conference, first-team All-ACC honors from the Associated Press and second-team All-America distinction.
His rise to draft night was built on a dominant 2024 campaign that established him as one of the nation's elite defenders. Louis earned first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News and multiple second-team All-America selections while being named first-team All-ACC. He finished third in ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting and led Pitt with 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four interceptions. Among his highlights were a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown, a blocked extra point returned for a defensive two-point conversion and a game-clinching interception in the Backyard Brawl.
Over his Pitt career, Louis appeared in 37 games with 26 starts, compiling 201 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries. His versatility at the STAR linebacker position allowed him to impact the game at every level, from stopping the run to excelling in pass coverage.
Louis' pre-draft process only reinforced what evaluators saw on tape. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he delivered one of the top all-around athletic performances among linebackers, highlighted by a 4.53 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical and elite change-of-direction numbers. His performance came on the heels of a standout week at the Senior Bowl, where he was widely regarded as one of the top defensive performers in attendance.
A native of East Orange, N.J., Louis arrived at Pitt and steadily developed into a complete linebacker over his four years in the program. His leadership and preparation helped define his career, culminating in his selection on one of football's biggest stages.
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi said Louis' journey and development are exactly what the program strives to produce.
"Kyle is everything you want in a young man representing your team," Narduzzi said. "What makes him special is the way he approaches every day. He's a competitor who is always looking for more work and more ways to make himself and the guys around him better. I saw him grow from a talented young player into the leader of our team, and he earned every bit of that. Coach Hafley and Dolphins aren't just getting a great player. They're getting someone who will elevate everyone in that locker room and shine brightest when the spotlight is at its biggest."
With his name now called on draft night, Louis becomes the latest example of Pitt's longstanding tradition of developing NFL-ready talent, now taking that next step with Miami.
