When looking ahead at the 2025 Pitt football roster and what players could return, it appeared as if the cornerback room would be a strength for the Panthers.
It was an inexperienced unit heading into 2024 that grew throughout the season and every impact corner had the opportunity to return. However, that changed on Monday when two cornerbacks announced that they were entering the transfer portal, including a key starter.
In a matter of one afternoon, Pitt football’s cornerbacks went from an experienced group for next season to an area of need. Pitt has now lost a total of four scholarship cornerbacks to the portal.
Starting corner Ryland Gandy and backup Tamarion Crumpley both entered the transfer portal on Monday, leaving a hole in the unit behind starter Rashad Battle, who announced his return earlier in December, and Tamon Lynum as the top two returnees.
Gandy — a 6-foot, 180-pound redshirt sophomore — started all 13 games this season for the Panthers and comes as one of the biggest losses of the offseason so far. Gandy entered the portal on Monday with two years of eligibility remaining.
The Buford, Ga. native recorded 40 tackles on the year with two pass breakups. Pro Football Focus gave Gandy a 60.7 defensive grade on the season as he allowed 28 receptions on 54 targets (51.9%) during the season.
Crumpley — a 6-foot-1, 195-pound redshirt junior — was listed as a backup throughout the season on the two-deep and has one year of eligibility remaining.
The Cincinnati, Ohio native, Crumpley recorded six tackles in 11 appearances and a 22-yard pick-six against Youngstown State.
With Gandy and Crumpley entering the portal, they join redshirt freshman Jeremiah Anglin Jr. and redshirt junior Noah Biglow to depart from the program this offseason.
Here is how the 2025 cornerback room stacks up with the recent departures:
| Name |
Class |
| Rashad Battle |
Sixth-Year |
| Tamon Lynum |
Sixth-Year |
| Shadarian Harrison |
R-Sophomore |
| Davion Pritchard |
R-Freshman |
| Nigel Maynard |
R-Freshman |
| Mason Alexander |
Freshman |
| Shawn Lee Jr. |
Freshman |
Battle and Lynum will play a majority of the snaps for the Panthers next season. Battle started 10 games this season after being sidelined that past two seasons with injury. Lynum started three games after transferring to Pitt from Nebraska.
After those two, the backups become uncertain with a lot of youth and inexperience. Pitt could stick with Shadarian Harrison and the redshirt freshmen, but the Panthers will likely have to dip into the portal to locate a corner or two to lug some snaps in relief behind the two starters.
Pitt is receiving a visit on Jan. 3 from UC Davis transfer safety Kavir Bains, who received an offer from the Panthers last week. However, Pitt has stayed away from making a big push towards cornerbacks.
Now, cornerbacks coach Archie Collins and Pat Narduzzi will need to make it an emphasis to land a corner or two in the portal.
