Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Transfer Portal Target Commits to Another ACC Program
Pitt has landed a handful of commitments out of the transfer portal now, so the losses don’t hurt as bad, but another defensive line target has committed elsewhere.
Mercer defensive end Brayden Manley — a 6-foot-2, 245-pound rising junior defensive end from Vanceboro, N.C. — committed to Georgia Tech on Monday, choosing the Yellow Jackets over a list of suitors that included the Panthers.
Manley visited Pittsburgh last week, checking out a Pitt program that extended one of his portal offers. But it appears his decision came down to Georgia Tech and Virginia.
https://twitter.com/BraydenManley5/status/1871327909857673383
Pitt was the first program to extend an offer, kicking off a list of offers that includes Charlotte, ECU, UAB, Western Michigan, Virginia, Toledo, Memphis and Arizona.
Manley wasn’t highly recruited coming out of West Craven High in the class of 2023, but he was able to see the field immediately. He turned a strong debut season into a breakout campaign — earning first-team All-SoCon honors and SoCon Defensive Player of the Year.
Manley was the top pass rusher at Mercer (and in the FCS) this season, recording 38 tackles (15 solo), 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups.
Pitt will need to replace Nate Matlack in the starting lineup next season, but there’s a solid base returning with Jimmy Scott (who already announced he’s returning next season), Sincere Edwards and Chief Borders. There are some younger pass rushers on the roster, but it’s been a priority for the coaching staff to target defensive ends in the portal.
Pitt has its core defensive tackles in Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James and Isaiah Neal (with Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington primed for bigger seasons), but the need for edge rushers will be addressed.
