Pitt FB Recruiting
Report: Texas A&M Transfer Wide Receiver Picks Up Interest From Pitt
Texas A&M firing Jimbo Fisher opened the window for Aggies to enter the transfer portal a couple of weeks before the Dec. 4 window that will open for every other underclassman in college football.
Raymond Cottrell, a first-year Texas A&M wide receiver, decided to get ahead of the process and enter the portal on Nov. 12. And he’s heard from quite a few schools in just over a week in the portal, including Pitt, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
After what will either be a 3-9 or 4-8 season, depending on the result against Duke this weekend, there will be major changes made offensively. The coaching staff is trying to see if the quarterback of the future is currently on the roster, and whoever it ends up being will need some weapons.
So, as seasons are winding down and players are entering the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season, Pitt will likely be very active in the portal.
Cottrell, who was one of the most sought-after recruits in the class of 2023, will once again be in high demand amongst college programs.
Former Texas A&M WR Raymond Cottrell tells me he has heard from these 2️⃣3️⃣ schools since entering the Transfer Portal
The 6’3 210 WR will have 4 years of eligibility remaining
Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/68dMfkcmfD pic.twitter.com/r7BdT80Mjt
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 21, 2023
Cottrell, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound wideout originally from Milton, Fla., is the early No. 1 player in the 247Sports Transfer Portal rankings. And he was a four-star recruit coming out of Milton High School last year.
He committed to Texas A&M, after flipping from both Georgia and Florida during his time at Milton, and in three games as a true freshman, he caught one pass — a 13-yard touchdown against Louisiana Monroe.
He received just 21 snaps this season, lining up primarily outside as an X receiver, and he has a lot of potential in that role going forward. Cottrell flashed that potential often at Milton, racking up 1,636 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns and 590 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior and senior.
Fawcett reported that Cottrell has heard from the likes of Florida, Miami, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Arizona, Ole Miss, Purdue, Oregon State, Kentucky, Penn State, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina State. So, there will certainly be no shortage of interest.
The Pitt wide receiving corps has the chance to look drastically different next season. Bub Means, who leads the Panthers with 636 yards (18.2 yards per attempt) and five touchdowns, has a decision to make. He walked on Senior Night but does have the ability to return for another season.
Konata Mumpfield and DaeDae Reynolds are set to return, and Kenny Johnson, Izzy Polk, Zion Fowler-El and Lamar Seymore will all be a year older and more experienced. But it’s clear, especially if Means doesn’t return, that Pitt will be looking to add to the room.
Tiquan Underwood was active in the transfer portal last offseason, and while he landed Reynolds from Florida, the other portal options fell through at different points throughout the offseason.
It will be interesting to see Pitt’s approach this offseason as it looks to supplement the receiving corps.
