Solomon DeShields

Position:
LB
Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Height:
6-2
Weight:
230
Hometown:
Millville, NJ
High School:
Millville Senior

2023: Played in all 12 games, making 11 starts at Star linebacker...lone missed start (at Wake Forest) occurred when he was injured while covering the opening kickoff...totaled 58 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and a pass breakup on the year...twice logged a career-high eight tackles (West Virginia and Virginia Tech)...had a career-high 2.5 TFLs against Virginia Tech...had sacks against West Virginia and Louisville.

2022: Played in all 13 games, serving on special teams and as a reserve linebacker…totaled 19 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery…posted a season-high three tackles in three separate contests (Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Syracuse)…had a season-high two tackles for loss at Western Michigan…recorded sacks against Western Michigan, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Syracuse…recovered a UCLA fumble on a kickoff in the Sun Bowl, leading to a Pitt field goal.

2021: Played in 13 games, serving on special teams and as a reserve linebacker…totaled nine tackles…twice had a season-high two tackles (Georgia Tech and Miami).

2020: Played in four contests, serving on special teams and as a reserve linebacker…appearances came against Austin Peay, Notre Dame, Florida State and Georgia Tech…enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in January 2020 following his early graduation from Millville Senior and participated in the Panthers’ abbreviated spring drills.

HIGH SCHOOL: A two-way standout considered one of the top “athletes” in New Jersey…a heavily recruited prospect who excelled at defensive back and as a pass catcher…New Jersey All-Group 4 (first team)...NJ.com All-State (second team)…first team All-West Jersey Football League (WJFL) Continental Division…collected 68 tackles, eight sacks and four interceptions…as a receiver, had 661 yards on 44 catches (15.0 avg.)…rated one of the nation’s top 35 athletes by Rivals…rated the No. 18 overall prospect in New Jersey by 247Sports, No. 20 by Rivals and No. 22 by ESPN…played under Coach Dennis Thomas…also lettered in basketball and track and field.

PERSONAL: Born 4/23/02...is the son of Amy Fletcher and Warren DeShields and the stepson of Jennifer DeShields…has three brothers and one sister…father played football at Rowan University…brother (Jaelin) played at Stevenson University and Clarion University…liberal studies major.