Eastern Michigan Transfer DE Gives Pitt Fifth Commitment of the Day

The last time Pitt received a commitment from a Blue Mountain High football player, it worked out pretty well.

Gavin Bartholomew won’t be on the roster in 2025, but after committing to Pitt following an official visit this week, Eastern Michigan transfer defensive lineman Joey Zelinsky will be.

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Zelinsky — a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman from Cressona, Pa. — is the fifth player to commit to Pitt Saturday, adding another veteran defensive lineman to the position room. He’s a welcomed addition.

He picked up offers from JMU, Texas State, Buffalo, USF, Coastal Carolina, Sacramento State, Western Michigan and Memphis after entering the transfer portal last month.

Zelinsky started his college career at the junior college level and made the jump to Eastern Michigan, where he spent the last three seasons.

He racked up 78 tackles (31 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups over the last three seasons.

Pitt added a commitment from Utah State transfer defensive end Blaine Spires earlier Saturday, which now gives the Panthers two defensive linemen in the class.

Pitt is replacing Nate Matlack in the starting lineup next season, and with Sincere Edwards and Chief Borders both hitting the transfer portal, it left Jimmy Scott as the lone returner. 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. Zelinsky adds some solid depth on the edge at the very least.

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.