Pitt Football Offers the No. 1 Recruit in Class of 2026

Pitt has often looked to St. Frances Academy for top-ranked talent, with former four-star Isaiah Neal serving as the latest example, but it’s not often that the Panthers extend an offer to the top-ranked recruit in the class.

Pitt stopped by St. Frances Academy this weekend and one of the many offers was given to Zion Elee.

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Elee — a 6-foot-5, 225-pound five-star defensive end from Baltimore, Md. — is committed to Maryland, but he posted his offer from the Panthers on social media.

He holds also offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, JMU, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Missouri, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas Tech, UCLA, USC, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

So, you know, just a few offers.

Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Pittsburgh #r2p @CoachJdubSFA @lbcoachchris @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/QZ79KfWVII

— Zion Elee (@D1zion26) January 9, 2025

It remains to be seen whether the relationship between Pitt and Elee goes anywhere, all Pitt can do is extend an offer and put the name out there, but he is currently committed — and it seems likely his recruiting process will garner massive amounts of NIL benefits.

247Sports rates him as the second-ranked recruit in the class (top-ranked edge and recruit from Maryland) while On3 rates him as the top-ranked recruit in the class. Rivals rates him as the  22nd-ranked recruit in the class (second-ranked defensive end and third-ranked recruit from Maryland).

Pitt hasn’t landed a commitment in the class of 2026 yet, it’s likely only a matter of time now, but Elee would obviously be a dream come true. But it doesn’t appear likely that the relationship will advance much further than the initial offer.

Pitt does appear to be in good shape for a couple of other St. Frances standouts in the classes of 2026 and 2027, though, including fast-rising three-star offensive lineman Edward Baker.