The Pitt-Cincinnati rivalry, which is better known as the River City rivalry, has featured some heated moments over the years on the field. With the teams not playing each other for 11 seasons, after the dissolution of the Big East after 2012, the hatred has continued on the recruiting trail.
The Bearcats and the Panthers constantly battle for great players from Ohio, even inspire of the dormancy of the rivalry. While Ohio State will remain the top school of the state, there are many other programs looking to recruit some of the talent in the midwestern state.
Cincinnati has beat out Pitt for a number of players over the past few years. Members of the Pitt coaching staff in linebackers coach Ryan Manalac, secondary coach Archie Collins and defensive coordinator Randy Bates spend a lot of time recruiting these players and will now face them this Saturday at Acrisure Stadium on the field for the first time.
Recruits With Pitt Offers That Signed With Cincinnati
Redshirt defensive lineman Malik Vann: Four-star in the Class of 2018
Redshirt junior defensive back Sammy Anderson Jr.-Four-star in the Class of 2020
Redshirt junior linebacker Daved Jones Jr.: Three-star in the Class of 2020
Redshirt junior wide receiver Chris Scott: Three-star in the Class of 2020
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Mao Glynn: Three-star in the Class of 2021
Junior running back Corey Kiner: Four-star in the Class of 2021
Redshirt freshman defensive end CJ Doggette: Three-star in the Class of 2022
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Derrick Shepard: Three-star in the Class of 2022
Freshman linebacker Trevor Carter: Four-star in the Class of 2023
Freshman Kamari Burns defensive end Kamari Burns: Three-star in the Class of 2023
Freshman offensive lineman Evan Tengesdahl: Four-star in the Class of 2023
Future Recruits
Three-star tight end Gavin Grover: Class of 2024
Three-star offensive lineman Jake Wheelock: Class of 2024
Three-star offensive lineman Devyn Zahursky: Class of 2024
Three-star running back Jakorion Caffey: Class of 2024
Recruits Pitt has Beaten Out Cincinnati for in Ohio
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Tyler Bentley: Three-star in the Class of 2018
Senior linebacker Bangally Kamara: Three-star in the Class of 2020
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Branson Taylor: Three-star in the Class of 2020
Redshirt sophomore defensive back Tamarion Crumpley: Three-star in the Class of 2021
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Terrence Moore: Three-star in the Class of 2021
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Ryan Baer: Four-star in the Class of 2022
Future Recruits
Three-star defensive back Tayshawn Banks: Class of 2024
The two teams will continue to fight over recruits in Ohio for as long as college football continues. With Cincinnati joining the Big 12 this season, it will be interesting to see how that benefits them in recruiting, with improvements in funding and more since they were in the American conference.
Pitt might not win most battles for Ohio recruits with Cincinnati, but with players like Bentley, Crumpley and Banks all coming from the Cincinnati area, it’s clear that the work the coaching staff is doing is working in the state.
