Pitt Extends Offer to Penn State 2025 4-Star Commit

Omari Gaines has been committed to Penn State since March, pledging himself to the Nittany Lions very early in his recruiting process, and Pitt has entered the fold.

Gaines — a 6-foot-3, 175-pound four-star safety out of Malcolm X Shabazz High in Newark, N.J. — picked up an offer from Pitt Thursday. It’s the first offer he’s announced since committing to Penn State earlier this year.

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There’s a connection not just between Tim Salem and Cory Sanders, who are currently recruiting Gaines, but sophomore wideout Zion Fowler-El, too.

Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Pittsburgh💙💛 #H2P #AGTG @CoachTimSalem @Coach_Manalac @KinslerLatish @coachnazoliver @BigBody_Nas8 @On3Recruits pic.twitter.com/orNwlLmOXR

— OmariGaines🎸 (@omarigaines_) December 14, 2023

Gaines tagged Fowler-El, who attended St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J. for high school, in the offer post. Fowler-El, of course, had to let his thoughts be known.

“Might as well make that move,” Fowler-El wrote on Twitter, adding a couple of blue heart emojis.

Gaines, who is still committed to Penn State, was an All-State performer for Malcolm X Shabazz as a junior, playing all over the Bulldogs’ defense. He’s a matchup nightmare for opposing wide receivers, using his length and athleticism to blanket receivers and tight ends — and drop down to make tackles.

Gaines has the look of a Pitt defensive back, but as he’s committed to a major rival and the relationship appears to be fresh, it remains to be seen how it will play out. It will be important to land Gaines on an unofficial visit or two this offseason if the relationship is to progress.

It doesn’t hurt that Fowler-El will likely be in Gaines’ ear either, though.

247Sports rates Gaines as the 403rd-ranked recruit in the class (32nd-ranked safety and 11th-ranked recruit from New Jersey) while On3 rates him as the 185th-ranked recruit in the class (16th-ranked safety and eighth-ranked recruit from New Jersey).

Rivals rates Gaines as the 42nd-ranked athlete and 14th-ranked recruit from New Jersey — holding a 5.6 Rivals Rating.

Pitt does not currently hold a commitment in the class of 2025, but that will change — possibly as early as next month — as the coaching staff turns its attention to the rising high school seniors.

The Panthers have made recent cuts for four-star linebacker Dayshaun Burnett (Pittsburgh, Pa.), four-star wide receivers Santonyo Isaac (Tampa, Fla.) and Jadyn Robinson (San Juan Capistrano, Cal.).