Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Lands Ohio State Transfer, Former 4-Star S Jayden Bonsu
It’s been a busy day for Pitt football, landing commitments all afternoon, and the latest is maybe the most high-profile addition of the offseason yet.
Pitt landed a commitment from Ohio State transfer Jayden Bonsu — a 6-foot-2, 207-pound safety from Hillside, N.J. — in a surprising twist, he announced on social media. The rising junior didn’t see the field during two seasons at Ohio State but was a four-star recruit out of high school.
Bonsu is the third commitment of the day, following Utah State transfer defensive end Blaine Spires and Richmond transfer offensive lineman Keith Gouveia.
— 21 (@JaydenBonsu) January 4, 2025
Bonsu is a big pick-up despite the fact that he hasn’t played a snap of college football yet. He was in a deep defensive backs room and isn’t far removed from being one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the class of 2023.
Bonsu initially committed to Ohio State over Miami and Michigan State, with offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee, USC and Wisconsin.
He played with current Pitt wide receiver Zion Fowler-El at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J., recording 70 tackles (39 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and five pass breakups as a senior.
It’s a safety group that won’t have Donovan McMillon and P.J. O’Brien Jr. next season, so Bonsu has an opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact.
Javon McIntyre, Cruce Brookins and Jesse Anderson are back next season, and Bonsu adds a long, physical athlete to the group. He’s a very nice pickup for the Pitt coaching staff, a piece that has the versatility to move around the defensive scheme.
Jayden Bonsu entered the transfer portal looking to make an impact on the field elsewhere, and he will very likely have that opportunity at Pitt.
