Cincinnati Lands Two Pitt Football Transfer Portal Targets

Pitt has done a good job retaining its players this offseason, but the Panthers haven’t been as fortunate in their transfer portal pursuits.

Pitt missed out on Western Carolina transfer offensive lineman Derek Simmons earlier Thursday and now, a couple of transfer portal targets have committed to Cincinnati.

Pitt football recruiting coverage sponsored by

RM LAW, P.C. is a boutique litigation law firm with a national practice dedicated to protecting shareholders’ interests and promoting improved corporate governance practices.

Cincinnati landed commitments from Charleston Southern transfer wide receiver Noah Jennings and Charlotte transfer kicker Stephen Rusnak. Both made visits to Pitt this month.

Let’s try dis again 🐾 #AGTG #commited @CoachStingley @Coachbg_qb pic.twitter.com/v14lFB9XbL

— SPID6Y (@TheNoahJennings) December 19, 2024

Home is where the heart is 🖤 pic.twitter.com/Pnkvu5L2WQ

— Stephen Rusnak (@stephenrusnak) December 18, 2024

Pitt has made it a priority to recruit wide receivers in the transfer portal this offseason, and Jennings was one of the few to have made it out to Pittsburgh. There are additional targets in the class, though.

Jennings earned freshman All-American status as a true freshman, hauling in 26 receptions for 410 yards (15.8 yards per reception) and a touchdown. He followed it up with a solid sophomore season, ranking up a team-high 46 receptions for 410 yards (10.3 yards per reception) and three touchdowns.

With Ben Sauls heading to the NFL, Pitt is looking for a kicker to supplement a kicking group that just includes Sam Carpenter right now.

Rusnak, a former Michigan State kicker, broke out in his lone season at Charlotte. He connected on all 11 of his field goal attempts — with a long of 54 yards. And he drilled all 25 of his point-after attempts.

Pitt hasn’t landed a commitment from the transfer portal yet, but it’s not for a lack of trying. There are recruits in town right and more will be in town this weekend. The first commitment will likely come in the next couple of days. And of course, more and more players will enter the portal in the coming days and weeks.

Pitt has its bowl appearance against Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. The game will be held at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.