Pitt FB Recruiting
2025 3-Star Texas DL Advancing Relationship With Pitt
Pitt has started to make an effort to recruit in the state of Texas this offseason, with multiple coaches extending offers, and one of the most recent recruits to hear from Pitt is Christopher Johnson.
Johnson — a 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive lineman from Iowa Colony High in Alvin, Tx. — picked up an offer from Randy Bates during an in-school visit last week.
“When I got the offer from Pitt after coach Bates told me all about it and got to know me as a person, I felt very blessed to be given the opportunity,” Johnson told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “When me and coach Bates talk, it usually consists of both of us talking about how our days went and what we have planned for the week.”
Pitt joined Baylor, Georgia Tech, Houston, North Texas, Texas State and UTSA in extending offers to the rising defensive lineman.
#AGTG After a great talk with @BatesBacker I am blessed to receive an offer from @Pitt_FB!!! #pitt #recruitIC🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/eoxEoAotR9
— Christopher Johnson (@ChrisJ2025) January 26, 2024
Bates has been the main point of contact for Johnson throughout the early portion of his recruiting process, and he’s hearing from the Panthers defensive coordinator frequently — learning about the community and the environment in Pittsburgh.
“When I was first introduced to Pitt, I really loved how the facility is right there next door with the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Johnson said. “That’s a true blessing due to the fact that you have players and coaches right next door to give you insights on the next level.”
Johnson was impactful as a junior on a very good Iowa Colony squad, racking up 59 tackles (38 solo), 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks and a forced fumble — leading the Pioneers in tackles for loss and sacks.
247Sports rates Johnson as the 47th-ranked defensive lineman and 70th-ranked recruit from Texas in the class, and while neither Rivals nor On3 have rated him yet, it appears to be only a matter of time.
Johnson is gearing up for his last week of unofficial visits this winter, with the dead period approaching, but he is looking to getting onto campus in Oakland in the spring or summer. He’d like to have his recruitment sorted out during the summer in able to focus on his senior season.
It will be important for Pitt to land Johnson on at least an unofficial visit this spring in order to progress the relationship prior to the summer.
Pitt has not yet landed a commitment in the class of 2025, but the recruits in the class are beginning to come to the forefront.
The Panthers are in the mix for four-star linebacker Dayshaun Burnett (Pittsburgh, Pa.), three-star athlete Emmanuel Taylor (Virginia Beach, Va.), three-star offensive lineman Raphael Greene (Cincinnati, Ohio), four-star wide receiver Jadyn Robinson (San Juan Capistrano, Cal.), three-star running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. (Woodbridge, Va.), three-star athlete Jaiden Brown-Demery (Mest Mifflin, Pa.) and three-star edge rusher Sharlandiin Strange (Wyncote, Pa).
