Eight Pitt football members of the Class of 2020 are on campus as early enrollees, Pittsburgh Sports Now has learned, while one expected early enrollee will instead be joining the Panthers in the summer instead.
Running back Israel Abanikanda, wide receivers Jordan Addison, Solomon DeShields and Aydin Henningham, linebacker A.J. Roberts and safety Buddy Mack have all joined the Panthers as early enrollees for the 2020 school year.
Additionally, transfer quarterback Joey Yellen from Arizona State and tight end Lucas Krull from Florida have enrolled with Pitt.
Addison was not among the players that head coach Pat Narduzzi listed during his singing day press conference when Narduzzi said to expect seven midyear enrollees, but he was not officially signed to Pitt at the time. Yellen was not yet committed to Pitt.
Junior college tight end Daniel Moraga, who Narduzzi did say would be an early enrollee, has one class left to finish at Ventura College in California and will instead join the Panthers in May.
Not having Moraga means that Pitt will go through the spring with just Grant Carrigan and redshirt freshman Kyi Wright and Krull at the position, a position that has been a trouble spot for Pitt recruiting over the years.
But the other players will add quality depth to practices this spring. Mack will join a safeties room that will likely need to replace starter Damar Hamlin and Roberts will enter a linebackers corps that needs to replace a pair of starters in Saleem Brightwell and Kylan Johnson.
Yellen gives the Panthers four scholarship options at quarterback, Abanikanda, Addison, DeShields and Henningham will join deep groups at their positions.
The eight early enrollees is the most Pitt has had under Pat Narduzzi.
This story has been updated to reflect Jordan Addison as an early enrollee at Pitt.
Apparently, Damar Hamlin is not seeking a sixth year.