North Carolina State University Athletics
Senior Spotlight: LB Brandon Pittman
11/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 4, 2014
The linebacker from Raleigh, has become a strong performer and a veteran presence the squad can count on each week and he has been able to accomplish it all in the area in which he grew up.
Pittman came to NC State because it provided the best opportunity for him to be close to his family and play collegiate football at the highest level.
“I realized that I wanted to be close to my family there. It’s always nice to look over to the sideline and see my family in the stands,” Pittman said.
“Growing up, I would say my family were NC State fans. I came to my first game during the [Chuck] Amato years against Maryland, but I wasn’t really old enough to process the fact that this was maybe something that I wanted to do at that time.”
When he was being recruited by the previous NC State coaching staff, Pittman says that the Wolfpack fan base and the overall atmosphere also contributed to his decision to attend State.
“I started coming to State games every weekend that I could when I was getting recruited. I really enjoyed just being here and seeing the crowd. I noticed that the fans are always supportive and make for an incredible atmosphere.”
Pittman began his athletic career on the soccer pitch, before a family friend talked him into playing football. Pittman’s first went to a football camp to see if he was interested and later tried out for his middle school team. His first season playing competitively was his seventh-grade season and he immediately fell in love with the game and traded in his soccer cleats.
“I decided to try out for the football team and I made the team and had the opportunity to play in my first season,” Pittman stated.
After beginning his football career as a cornerback and a running back, made the change to the linebacker position on a permanent basis prior to his sophomore season at Leesville.
With the Pride, Pittman helped his team to a 9-3 record and a playoff appearance as a senior under the guidance of head coach David Green.
Individually, Pittman garnered all-conference accolades and was named the 4A CAP-8 conference co-defensive player of the year.
At Leesville, Pittman played with Logan Bible, the son of former Wolfpack offensive coordinator Dana Bible who played a key role in drawing Pittman to NC State.
Throughout his career at State, Pittman has become a vital player for the Wolfpack defense, as he has taken on a bigger role each year he has been a part of the program.
“When I first got here it was tough,” Pittman said. “We had a lot of good players at the linebacker position and I was able to get on the field for only a few games my freshman season.
“I put my focus on trying to get on the field and just trying to represent NC State football as best I could.”
Throughout his first two seasons with the program, Pittman played primarily in a backup role for the squad. He played in six games as a true freshman and was a backup at the strong side linebacker position as a sophomore.
Pittman was able to have a breakout campaign last season as a junior in the first year of the Dave Doeren era. He was the team’s fourth leading tackler with 62 stops and started seven games from the weakside linebacker position. His biggest game last season came against Duke, where he led the team in tackles with 14.
“From an individual perspective, I’d say the Duke game of last year was a proud moment for me,” Pittman said. “It was my breakout game and saw the dividends of all the hard work I put in pay off.”
Now in his senior season, Pittman is playing a key role in the Wolfpack’s 4-2-5 scheme, which the squad switched to during the offseason. He has racked up 14 tackles to rank third among the Wolfpack linebackers and forced a fumble during State’s dominant 49-17 win at South Florida.
Pittman is also in a bigger leadership position as a veteran on the squad this season, as he and Rodman Noel are the lone seniors at the position.
The linebacker core is one of the youngest position groups on the Wolfpack roster this season, as the squad has eight players that are either freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
“I can now lead some of the younger guys we have on the team and show them how to act and carry themselves on and off the field,” Pittman said.
Away from football, Pittman enjoys the opportunity he has to spend time with his family, as well as hang out with friends and play his teammates in video games.
Pittman will graduate from NC State in May with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism management.
For now, Pittman is looking to enjoy the remainder of his senior season and hopes to help the Pack return to play in a bowl game to conclude his career on a high note.
“Just being with my teammates and the adrenaline rush of coming out onto the field at Carter-Finley with the crowd and the smoke is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Pittman said.
RALEIGH, N.C. - Senior Brandon Pittman understands the importance of family in his life, as he has become an important piece of the Wolfpack throughout his career.
The linebacker from Raleigh, has become a strong performer and a veteran presence the squad can count on each week and he has been able to accomplish it all in the area in which he grew up.
Pittman came to NC State because it provided the best opportunity for him to be close to his family and play collegiate football at the highest level.
“I realized that I wanted to be close to my family there. It’s always nice to look over to the sideline and see my family in the stands,” Pittman said.
“Growing up, I would say my family were NC State fans. I came to my first game during the [Chuck] Amato years against Maryland, but I wasn’t really old enough to process the fact that this was maybe something that I wanted to do at that time.”
When he was being recruited by the previous NC State coaching staff, Pittman says that the Wolfpack fan base and the overall atmosphere also contributed to his decision to attend State.
“I started coming to State games every weekend that I could when I was getting recruited. I really enjoyed just being here and seeing the crowd. I noticed that the fans are always supportive and make for an incredible atmosphere.”
Pittman began his athletic career on the soccer pitch, before a family friend talked him into playing football. Pittman’s first went to a football camp to see if he was interested and later tried out for his middle school team. His first season playing competitively was his seventh-grade season and he immediately fell in love with the game and traded in his soccer cleats.
“I decided to try out for the football team and I made the team and had the opportunity to play in my first season,” Pittman stated.
After beginning his football career as a cornerback and a running back, made the change to the linebacker position on a permanent basis prior to his sophomore season at Leesville.
With the Pride, Pittman helped his team to a 9-3 record and a playoff appearance as a senior under the guidance of head coach David Green.
Individually, Pittman garnered all-conference accolades and was named the 4A CAP-8 conference co-defensive player of the year.
At Leesville, Pittman played with Logan Bible, the son of former Wolfpack offensive coordinator Dana Bible who played a key role in drawing Pittman to NC State.
Throughout his career at State, Pittman has become a vital player for the Wolfpack defense, as he has taken on a bigger role each year he has been a part of the program.
“When I first got here it was tough,” Pittman said. “We had a lot of good players at the linebacker position and I was able to get on the field for only a few games my freshman season.
“I put my focus on trying to get on the field and just trying to represent NC State football as best I could.”
Throughout his first two seasons with the program, Pittman played primarily in a backup role for the squad. He played in six games as a true freshman and was a backup at the strong side linebacker position as a sophomore.
Pittman was able to have a breakout campaign last season as a junior in the first year of the Dave Doeren era. He was the team’s fourth leading tackler with 62 stops and started seven games from the weakside linebacker position. His biggest game last season came against Duke, where he led the team in tackles with 14.
“From an individual perspective, I’d say the Duke game of last year was a proud moment for me,” Pittman said. “It was my breakout game and saw the dividends of all the hard work I put in pay off.”
Now in his senior season, Pittman is playing a key role in the Wolfpack’s 4-2-5 scheme, which the squad switched to during the offseason. He has racked up 14 tackles to rank third among the Wolfpack linebackers and forced a fumble during State’s dominant 49-17 win at South Florida.
Pittman is also in a bigger leadership position as a veteran on the squad this season, as he and Rodman Noel are the lone seniors at the position.
The linebacker core is one of the youngest position groups on the Wolfpack roster this season, as the squad has eight players that are either freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
“I can now lead some of the younger guys we have on the team and show them how to act and carry themselves on and off the field,” Pittman said.
Away from football, Pittman enjoys the opportunity he has to spend time with his family, as well as hang out with friends and play his teammates in video games.
Pittman will graduate from NC State in May with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism management.
For now, Pittman is looking to enjoy the remainder of his senior season and hopes to help the Pack return to play in a bowl game to conclude his career on a high note.
“Just being with my teammates and the adrenaline rush of coming out onto the field at Carter-Finley with the crowd and the smoke is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Pittman said.
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