Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Defensive Back Commit Elevated to 4-Star Status
We’ve reached the final stretch for the Pitt class of 2025, and with senior seasons winding down, the final recruiting bumps are here.
Pitt has had a handful of its class of 2025 commits receive boosts in the last couple of days, and the latest is defensive back Cole Woodson.
Woodson — a 6-foot-1, 190-pound three-star defensive back from Battlefield in Haymarket, Va. — has been elevated to a four-star recruit by On3 Sports. It comes on the heels of a senior season in which he’s helped lead his squad to an unbeaten record through 11 games.
Woodson committed to Pitt in July, picking the Panthers over offers from UConn, Duke, JMU, Minnesota, Syracuse, Temple, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
“I have a great relationship with Pitt and I am excited to sign with them,” Woodson told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “Coach Sanders and Coach Bates give me shouts weekly and it is always good catching up with them and talking some life and ball.”
He didn’t set a list of finalists but made official visits to Duke, Pitt and Virginia Tech.
Pitt extended Woodson an offer on Jan. 30, and his official visit was the second time he made it out to Pittsburgh. His first was a visit for spring practice in March, getting his first taste of the coaching staff and the culture.
“I enjoyed sitting in on the meetings and practice as well as seeing much of the campus,” Woodson said after committing. “In speaking with coach Narduzzi and coach Sanders, I feel that they are both good men and coaches who know how to develop talent out of high school. I was impressed overall with my visit and knew I had to get back.”
The actual official visit went well, spending time with the coaching staff and his (potential) future teammates, and now the Panthers are firmly in the mix for his commitment.
Battlefield is 11-0, one of the best ranked teams in Virginia, and Woodson is one of the most versatile players on the roster. He’s recorded one carry for a 31-yard touchdown, caught 15 passes for 364 yards (24.3 yards per reception) and five touchdowns. And he’s racked up 27 tackles (26 solo), two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
“This year I think that I have improved with my fluidity and movement but greatly on the off the field side of football with that being the way in which I prepare for an opponent,” Woodson said. “Watching film of opposing teams with more intent and breaking down subtle cues further enhance my ability to make plays.”
247Sports rates Woodson as the 59th-ranked safety and 21st-ranked recruit from Virginia. Rivals rates him as the 33rd-ranked recruit from Virginia — holding a 5.5 Rivals Rating.
On3 rates Woodson as the 36th-ranked safety and ninth-ranked recruit from Virginia.
“It is humbling to see the work I put in be reflected in my ranking, and with this I will continue to improve on my craft everyday,” Narduzzi said.
