Pitt Football Extends Offer To Shady Side Academy Freshman Carter Bonner

Pitt football continues to scour the WPIAL for the future of homegrown talent in the area. They even offered a freshman from Shady Side Academy this past weekend, who they have high hopes for.

Carter Bonner received his first Division I offer and it came from Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi. Bonner stands at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, plays as both at wide receiver and defensive back for Shady Side Academy and also works out with local trainer Dee Brown of 210ths.

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“I found out about the offer before the Pitt vs. Cincinnati game started,” Bonners said. “[Safeties] Coach [Cory] Sanders comes up to me and my father expressing that he’s watched my film, and I am a great player and that the University of Pittsburgh would like to offer me.”

Freshman calls game against North Catholic highschool in overtime!🙏🏻🔥🔥🔥😳😳https://t.co/UnYibpLRMj

10 Rec
138 yards
2 Touchdowns
2 Interceptions@210ths @Evolve2tenths @The_hive_ath @PghMarty @EdOBrienCFB @WPIAL_Insider @PA_TodaySports @RivalsFriedman @247Sports @PRZPAvic

— CARTER BONNER (@CarterBonner8) September 2, 2023

“My first reaction was that I was shocked. I did not know what to think but it was an amazing feeling. It felt like all the hard work that I’ve put in paid off. All I could think of was my mother and I had to tell her that I have received a scholarship from one of the colleges I grew up watching. I was grateful to be one of the ninth graders to receive a scholarship offer as I know some people do not get to experience that.”

The potentially life changing news would be great for most high school athletes from any Division I school. For Bonner, it means even more to him that his hometown school, Pitt, was the first school to extend him that offer.

“Yes, it means more considering as it is my hometown and I have been watching them with my uncle and father at a young age ever since I was six years old,” Bonner said. “I follow Pitt a lot as they are one of my favorite schools. I’ve been following them since Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin.”

The list WPIAL talent that Pitt has offered in the next three classes continues to grow. Pitt currently has two recruits in the Class of 2024 from the WPIAL in Penn Hills quarterback Julian Dugger and Pittsburgh Central Catholic defensive end Ty Yuhas. 

WPIAL/CITY LEAGUE PLAYERS WITH PITT OFFERS

Class of 2025
–Bradley Gompers, Athlete, Central Catholic High School
–Antwan Black, Jr. 3-star Defensive Back, Laurel Highlands High School
–Dayshawn Burnett 4-star Outside Linebacker, Imani Christian Academy
–Brady O’Hara, 3-star Tight End, North Catholic High School
–Tiqwai Hayes, 4-star Running Back, Aliquippa High School

Class of 2026
–Kyshawn Robinson, Athlete, Westinghouse High School
–David Davis, Athlete, Imani Christian Academy
–Da’Ron Barksdale, Athlete, Steel Valley High School
–Daiveon Taylor, Outside Linebacker, Bishop Canevin High School
–Colsen Gatten, Outside Linebacker, Central Catholic High School

Class of 2027
–Larry Moon, Cornerback, Central Catholic High School
-Carter Bonner, Athlete, Shadyside Academy