Pitt FB Recruiting
2025 Pitt 3-Star ATH Target Announces Commitment Date
Pitt needs a jolt of energy in the program after a couple of tough transfer portal decisions over the last few days, and one might be on the way.
Bryce Yates — a 6-foot, 160-pound three-star athlete from Matoaca High in Chesterfield, Va. — announced that he will make his college decision at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.
Yates holds offers from Appalachian State, Buffalo, Charlotte, Duke, East Carolina, JMU, Marshall, Maryland, UMass, Old Dominion, Pitt, Temple and Yale, but with official visits scheduled for Duke and Pitt, it appears his commitment is a two-man race.
All Glory To God!!!
3:30 April 21st at Ettrick Park!!!! pic.twitter.com/n3ZcyjF6de— Bryce Yates (@brycetheathlete) April 16, 2024
Pitt jumped into the fray for Yates late last year, with former assistants Tiquan Underwood and Andre Powell leading his recruiting chase, but the Panthers coaching staff has been heavy on Yates since — including Pat Narduzzi.
Kade Bell and JJ Laster — and Narduzzi — have been on Yates since arriving over the winter, and it’s obviously been enough to secure an official visit from June 6-8.
It’s no surprise that Bell and Laster prioritized Yates once arriving as a coaching duo — pointing toward how the Panthers view Yates as a recruit.
Yates was the leading receiver at Matoaca as a junior, racking up 79 receptions for 1,193 yards (15.1 yards per reception) and 15 touchdowns — adding a 20-yard rushing touchdown. And his impact didn’t stop offensively, recording 27 tackles (19 solo), a tackle for loss and a team-high six interceptions.
247Sports rates Yates as the 30th-ranked athlete in the class and the 16th-ranked recruit from Virginia. Neither Rivals nor On3 have rated him yet, but he does hold a 5.5 Rivals Rating.
Yates has not visited Pitt yet but has scheduled official visits with Duke and Pitt. He will — likely — not be able to visit either school before his announced commitment. So, it will come down to what he already knows about each program.
Pitt currently holds two commitments in the class of 2025, three-star defensive lineman Trevor Sommers (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and three-star quarterback Mason Heintschel (Oregon, Ohio), and it’s not unlikely that a couple more soon join the class this spring.
There are over 20 official visits scheduled for June, and while all of those visits will not take place, it’s a good start for the Pitt coaching staff.
