Pitt expected to have 14 early enrollees this spring, and it turns out that all 14 expected early enrollees completed their high school graduation requirements and enrolled for the spring semester.
It’s a big group of early enrollees, with well over half of the class of 2025 already on campus.
“We have 21 high school seniors that will sign,” Narduzzi said on National Signing Day. “We’ve got 12 signees on offense. We’ve got four offensive linemen, three receivers, a tight end, three running backs and a quarterback. Nine signees on defense, three defensive linemen, two linebackers, two cornerbacks and two safeties.
“We’ve also got 14 of them are mid-years, which you guys know how important that is — major advantage for them academically to come in here early, have an opportunity to get your feet on the ground academically, which I think is a huge selling point as far getting 15 days of spring practice but maybe a month of football. But the rest is really focused on you’re getting a lift in a run in and it’s not the stress of college football season.”
The Pitt early enrollees:
- Mason Heintschel, QB
- Ja’Kyrian Turner, RB
- Bryce Yates, WR
- Tony Kinsler, WR
- Cameron Sapp, WR
- Max Hunt, TE
- Akram Elnagmi, OL
- Julian Anderson, DE
- Denim Cook, DE
- Justin Thompson, LB
- Manny Taylor, LB
- Josh Guerrier, S
- Shawn Lee Jr., CB
- Mason Alexander, CB
Francis Brewu, Jeremiah Marcelin and Sincere Edwards (who has since left) benefited from enrolling early last year, and this year’s class will look to do the same.
The coaching staff has raved about Heintschel, who turned down late Power Four interest to sign with the Panthers. He’s a perfect fit at quarterback in offensive coordinator Kade Bell’s offensive scheme. And he participated in bowl practices last month — the first to compete with the team.
Turner has a fast track toward working into what is now a thin running backs room, and the entire wide receiving class will have a chance to crack the lineup. Hunt will work his way into the rotation at tight end, but it appears he’s likely in line for a redshirt season.
Anderson and Cook join an exciting group of young defensive linemen, and Thompson and Taylor are set to add depth to what is an impressive linebacking corps. Alexander and Lee have an increased opportunity in a cornerbacks group that was thinned out by the transfer portal, and Guerrier is an intriguing prospect at safety.
Pitt spring practice will begin in about two months, carrying on over 15 practices through the middle of April.
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