MORE HEADLINES - PODCAST: Discussing this week's departures | Free article: Pitt loses another QB as DiNucci announces plans to transfer | Detroit LB will visit Pitt in January | Pitt is expected to host a junior-college QB this weekend | Some of the top recruits in the 2019 recruiting class got offers from Pitt this week | Michigan standout gets a Pitt offer and hopes to visit | The No. 1 prospect in Pennsylvania was excited to get a Pitt offer

For the fourth time this week, a Pitt player has announced he would be not be returning to the Panthers for 2018.

The most recent announcement came from offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, who will leave Pitt with one year of eligibility remaining to enter the NFL Draft. He made his announcement through Pitt, which released this statement on his behalf:

“After careful consideration over the last few weeks, I have decided to enter the 2018 NFL draft. I do not take this decision lightly; therefore, I took an extensive amount of time discussing the situation with my family and coaches. Ultimately, I believe this is the best course of action to achieve my ultimate goal. “Looking back on the past four years, I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the world. As an incoming freshman, I was welcomed with open arms into this team, school and community. I am extremely proud to have earned my degree and will always call the University of Pittsburgh home. “I am forever grateful to a number of individuals instrumental in my development as a player and person. Coach Narduzzi and Coach Peterson’s support and guidance has been incredible. I am truly appreciative for them and all my teammates and coaches. Additionally, I maintain a special appreciation for Coach Dave Andrews, Coach Dave Bucar and Mark Diethorn. I will never be able to thank all the people who have helped me throughout the past several years, but their support does not go unnoticed. “Moving forward, there is nothing more important to me than representing my family, teammates, coaches, and this great University in a first-class manner. The entire Pittsburgh community has been great to me – thank you! “As always, Hail to Pitt!!!”

O’Neill came to Pitt in the recruiting class of 2014 as a tight end prospect, and he stayed at that position until the summer of 2015, when an injury to Jaryd Jones-Smith created a depth issue at offensive tackle. The coaches approached O’Neill about a position move and he accepted, putting on considerable weight that season and transitioning to right tackle.

He went on to make 37 consecutive starts beginning with the second game of the 2015 season. He worked at right tackle that season and in 2016 before moving to left tackle prior to this past season. O’Neill gained some national recognition last year when he rushed for two touchdowns, and he was an All-ACC second-team selection by the league’s coaches for his performance.

This year, O’Neill was named a first-team all-conference player, receiving the second-most votes of any offensive lineman in the ACC. His departure leaves a considerable void at offensive tackle, a position that was already dealing with the loss of both players who logged time at right tackle in Jones-Smith and Brandon Hodges. Plus, left guard Alex Officer is graduating, making O’Neill the fourth offensive lineman who won’t be returning to the unit this offseason.

Overall, O’Neill is the fifth player this offseason to announce he is leaving the Pitt program and the fifth this week. Last Monday, receiver Quadree Henderson announced he will enter the 2018 NFL Draft; this past Monday, safety Jordan Whitehead made the same announcement. On Tuesday, redshirt freshman quarterback Thomas MacVittie announced he would be transferring, and on Thursday, redshirt sophomore quarterback Ben DiNucci announced his own transfer.

O’Neill, Henderson and Whitehead make for the first time multiple Pitt players have announced they would be leaving early for the NFL in the same year since Dion Lewis, Henry Hynoski and Jonathan Baldwin left after the 2010 season.

Since then, just two players have left Pitt early for the NFL: receiver Tyler Boyd after the 2015 season and running back James Conner after last season.