
Max Gruder is a versatile, high-motor Pitt linebacker with a proven playmaking résumé
In his Pitt career, Max Gruder stood out as a versatile linebacker who could play both inside and on the perimeter, with the school noting he was slated for the Will role and had a strong academic reputation. In the 2011 season, he led Pitt with 116 tackles and added 8.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and three pass breakups, which shows a chase-and-disrupt style rather than just clean-up production. He’s the kind of defender you’d want if you value instincts, assignment flexibility, and a relentless feel for the ball.