Pitt FB Recruiting
Recapping the First Three Transfer Portal Commitments for Pitt Football
Pitt knew it needed to be active in the transfer portal this winter, and while the Panthers didn’t immediately add to their ranks, the commitments have started to flow freely.
Pitt has added three transfer portal players so far, and all three are in line for serious playing time next season.
There have been some instances of being “outbid” by other programs in the early days of the portal, but Pitt has done a very solid job addressing needs so far. Of course, there’s a lot of work to do (and there will certainly be more additions and subtractions), but here’s how the class currently looks.
Deuce Spann — Florida State transfer wide receiver
Spann — a 6-foot-4, 208-pound wideout from St. Petersburg, Fla. — was the first commitment this offseason. And he kept a low profile during his recruiting process.
Spann hasn’t played a whole lot during his college career. He started at Illinois as a dual-threat quarterback out of Lakewood High. He committed to the Illini over a long list of offers, including the Panthers.
He played in 10 games during his two seasons at Illinois, recording five catches for 124 yards (24.8 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
Spann transferred to Florida State before the 2022 season, playing 12 games in a reserve role. He played in 11 games in 2023, running the ball five times for 18 yards, catching a 23-yard pass and returning nine kickoffs for 277 yards — including a 99-yard touchdown return.
A season-ending injury after four games halted Spann’s third season at FSU.
James London — Murray State transfer kicker
He received offers from Oklahoma State, Illinois State, Kennesaw State, SEMO, UMass and FAU upon entering the portal last week.
London spent two seasons at Murray State, earning the starting job this season as a true sophomore. He connected on 14-of-19 field attempts, with a long of 55 yards. He converted seven field goals of at least 50 yards this season — leading the Racers with 65 points.
He earned first-team All-MVC and All-American honorable mention honors as he led the conference in field goals made and field goal percentage.
London was a standout at Miami Central in high school, helping the team to four straight state championships.
Like the man he’ll be replacing, London has a very big leg. And with a few seasons of eligibility under his belt, he has the potential to develop into a very good kicker with special teams coordinator Jacob Bronowski at his side. He will compete for the starting job with Sam Carpenter during the offseason.
Kendall Stanley — Charlotte transfer offensive tackle
Stanley — a 6-foot-5, 290-pound rising sophomore from Charlotte, N.C. — committed to the Panthers over offers from Miami, BYU, UTSA, Memphis, Kansas, Oregon State, Michigan State and Virginia Tech.
He earned All-AAC honorable mention for his play at Charlotte this season.
Stanley was just a two-star recruit coming out of Rocky River High in 2022, picking the 49ers as his lone scholarship offer, but it’s different this time around. 247Sports rates him as a top 10 offensive tackle in the portal.
He played in all 12 games this season, recording 706 offensive snaps — all at right tackle. According to PFF, he allowed just 14 pressures and two sacks.
Stanley didn’t see the field during his true freshman season in 2022, followed by just 17 snaps in 2023, but he broke out as an impact player this season. And with a couple of seasons of eligibility remaining, he was a highly sought-after recruit in the transfer portal this offseason.
