Pitt FB Recruiting
2025 4-Star Pitt Commit Ranked Top Athlete in the Country
Pitt landed a commitment from Elijah Dotson during the spring, and the coaching staff knew it would be a battle to hold him through National Signing Day.
It’s only gotten harder as Dotson — a 6-foot-2, 180-pound four-star defensive back from Belleville in Detroit, Mich. — has started his senior season on the highest of notes. And the recruiting services have certainly taken notice.
Dotson is now rated as one of the top 10 athletes in the class by On3.
#9 ATHLETE IN THE 🇺🇸 #blessed @On3sports @On3Recruits pic.twitter.com/paQea0kQxF
— Elijah Dotson 4⭐️ATH (@ElijahDotson06) October 8, 2024
Dotson committed to Pitt in May at a special ceremony at his high school, choosing the Panthers over a list of finalists that included Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.
He held Power Four offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee and Wisconsin. But the Panthers stood out largely because of the coaching staff.
“They were my first offer, I have a good relationship with coach Collins, he’s from Detroit and I’m from Detroit so we’ve kind of got that connection,” Dotson told Pittsburgh Sports Now when he committed. “And the last time I visited they showed me more than just football, they showed me the school and everything.
“They’ve been on me really heavy the last two months, the whole offseason really. I have a good relationship with coach Narduzzi, so everything just felt right.”
Dotson is an electric two-way playmaker, who is off to a very strong start in his senior season at Belleville. And it makes sense that Vanderbilt, Purdue and LSU have extended offers this fall.
“My dad has been telling me that’s going to come even after you commit,” Dotson told PSN last month. “They’re going to keep coming and coming, and it’s going to be a crazy season. Everything my dad has told me has been right. Personally, I’m not that surprised because I’m a talented player. I’ve always had the mindset that any offer I receive regardless of when I receive it, I consider it a blessing.”
247Sports rates Dotson as the 24th-ranked safety and third-ranked recruit from Michigan in the class while On3 rates him as the ninth-ranked athlete and fourth-ranked recruit from Michigan.
Rivals rates him as the 52nd-ranked cornerback and sixth-ranked recruit from Michigan.
Pitt will be in for a fight to keep Dotson committed the rest of the way, especially considering the dynamic start to his senior season, but the Panthers have fostered a strong bond already.
Pitt holds five defensive back commitments in the class, including Dotson, obviously. The class also includes three-star cornerback Cole Woodson (Haymarket, Va.), three-star cornerback Shawn Lee Jr. (Harrisburg, Pa.), four-star cornerback Mason Alexander (Fishers, Ind.) and three-star safety Joshua Guerrier (Ocoee, Fla.)
Neon Deion won’t be one of them. He can’t coach so he needs Narduzzi to teach a player before he’s interested.