Pitt FB Recruiting
Report: Pitt Considered ‘Front-Runner’ for Oregon Transfer DE
Pitt had a successful weekend hosting recruits at the South Side facility, landing seven portal targets over the past few days, but there’s one top target who left without pledging himself to the Panthers.
But according to Steve Wiltfong of On3, Pitt is still in good shape to land that target.
Wiltfong reported that Oregon transfer defensive end Jaeden Moore — a 6-foot-4, 245-pound redshirt freshman from Hanford, Calif. — is likely to commit to an ACC program. He added that Pitt and Virginia Tech are considered the front-runners as it stands. He also considered Michigan State and Nebraska.
Pitt picked up commitments from Utah State transfer Blaine Spires and Eastern Michigan transfer Joey Zelinsky this weekend, a couple of veteran defensive ends, but they will both exhaust their eligibility at the end of next season. Moore would be a long-term piece.
Moore was initially a three-star recruit out of Central Valley Christian (Calif.) in the class of 2023, choosing the Ducks over Arizona, California and Washington.
He only played a few snaps as a true freshman in 2023, but he took a step forward this season as a depth piece on the Oregon defensive line. He racked up six tackles (one solo), a tackle for loss, a half sack and a pass breakup.
According to PFF, he registered 16 pressures and 14 hurries this season — making the most of his limited opportunities.
Pitt is replacing Nate Matlack in the starting lineup next season, and with Edwards and Borders hitting the portal, Jimmy Scott is the only defensive end with legitimate experience who returned. Nate Temple has a chance to return, and Maverick Gracio, Zach Crothers and signees Denim Cook and Julian Anderson will be in the mix. The portal pickups slot immediately into the starting rotation.
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 — as is currently being done.
