Pitt Moves Up to No. 19 in Class of 2021 after Landing 4-Star DE Naquan Brown

Pitt’s recruiting Class of 2021 is now ranked No. 19 by Rivals and No. 21 by 247 Sports after landing four-star defensive end Naquan Brown on Friday.

Pitt had been ranked No. 20 and No. 24, respectively, before the addition of Brown, the Panthers’ 23rd recruit in the Class of 2021.

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The Panthers are fifth among ACC schools in both sets of rankings, behind Clemson, Notre Dame, Miami and North Carolina.

The No. 19 ranking at Rivals would be Pitt’s best ever if the Panthers can hold it through the end of the recruiting cycle. Pitt’s best Rivals ranking under Narduzzi was in 2016, when the Panthers finished 29th.

At 247, Pitt’s best effort was a 16th-placed class under Dave Wannstedt in 2006. They were also 21st in 2007. The best they’ve ever finished under Narduzzi was 37th, in both 2016 and 2017.

There is less than a month to go before the early singing period, when most of the top recruits in the class are expected to sign. Pitt can still add a maximum of two more players to its class.