Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Picks Up Commitment From UConn Transfer Long Snapper
Pitt has landed a commitment from UConn transfer long snapper Nilay Upadhyuyula.
It’s the first shakeup in the special teams room this offseason, with the Upadhyuyula replacing the outgoing Byron Floyd — who has since committed to Buffalo after hitting the transfer portal when it opened on Dec. 4.
“I am 100% committed to the University of Pittsburgh,” Upadhyuyula wrote on Twitter.
Upadhyuyula — a 5-foot-11, 230-pound redshirt junior long snapper from IMG Academy in Florida — picked up an offer from the Pitt coaching staff Sunday, his first since entering the transfer portal last month, and it came after he made a visit to Pittsburgh over the weekend.
Upadhyuyula played in 18 games during his four seasons at UConn, emerging as a starter in 2023, and he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining with the Panthers.
I am 100% committed to the University of Pittsburgh!!
— Upa (@_nilayu) December 13, 2023
Upadhyuyula recorded 104 special teams snaps for UConn last season, and according to Pro Football Focus, he racked up two tackles. His experience should put him in the leading role to grab the position during the offseason.
James Fineran is the only other long snapper on the roster, but with the addition of Upadhyuyula and the number of offers that the coaching staff extended early in the offseason, it’s clear there was a desire to upgrade the position.
Pitt transitioned seamlessly between Cal Adomitis and Byron Floyd ahead of the 2022 season, and after two seasons, there will once again be a new long snapper in Pittsburgh. Upadhyuyula is now an option to continue the growing line of successful long snappers in Pittsburgh.
The special teams unit was a mixed bag in 2023, primarily at punter where Caleb Junko struggled mightily down the stretch, but the entire operation — outside of Ben Sauls — never seemed to be clicking. And changes were necessary.
Upadhyuyula will have large shoes to fill as Floyd was a pillar of consistency at long snapper for the Panthers over the last two seasons, earning PFF midseason All-American honors in 2023.
For all your college football transfer portal needs, check out the Portal Report and their Transfer Portal Tracker.
Bill Hillgrove is not pleased with this signing as he’ll have to try and pronounce that name.
B.Floyd outran the gunners at times. Yes, he whiffed on Chris Tyree at Notre Dame but dude was all out sprint after snapping.
Is it really a Scholarship role though? That is usually a walk-on trying to contribute to be on a D1 team.
Now go and get a dependably consistent punter.