Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Offers Buffalo Graduate Transfer Wide Receiver
Tiquan Underwood has been recruiting the transfer portal already this offseason, and it’s resulted in a new offer.
Marlyn Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound graduate transfer wide receiver from Buffalo, picked up an offer from Underwood and Pitt Wednesday. He was originally a recruit in the class of 2019, with the Panthers in the mix back then, too.
Johnson hit the portal Tuesday, and Pitt was the first school to extend an offer — followed quickly by FAU.
Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Pittsburgh! 🔵🟡 #H2P pic.twitter.com/vqvkpDOjwN
— 〽️AR (@1marlynjohnson1) December 6, 2023
Johnson broke out as a full-time starter for Buffalo in 2023, racking up 691 offensive snaps — a roughly 60/40 split between lining up out wide and in the slot.
He recorded a career-high 40 receptions for 494 yards (12.4 yards per reception) and four touchdowns last season, converting 57.4% of his team-high 68 targets. According to PFF, he caught 6-of-12 contested catch opportunities and dropped just three balls.
He did most of his damage in the intermediate passing game for Buffalo, especially as an underneath route runner — with an average depth of target at just about 10 yards.
In four seasons, missing the 2020 season, Johnson racked up 63 receptions for 738 yards (11.7 yards per reception) and five touchdowns.
He will have one final season of eligibility remaining at his new location.
Pitt has lost Bub Means and Addison Copeland III, who decided to enter the transfer portal himself, and there’s a slim group of proven returners in 2024. Konata Mumpfield and Daejon Reynolds have legitimate experience, Kenny Johnson showed extreme promise as a true freshman and that’s the extent of proven talent.
Izzy Polk caught a few balls as a true freshman, and Zion Fowler-El and Lamar Seymore have received a ton of hype since arriving. Jake McConnachie and Che Nwabuko are also in the mix.
For all your college football transfer portal needs, check out the Portal Report and their Transfer Portal Tracker.
We lose Sam O., look at his offer list in 2 days, then look back at the contact list of the people who Pitt has approached, no wonder Pitt can’t win consistently.