Pitt FB Recruiting
Randy Bates and Pitt Impress Texas 2026 DE Obinna Umeh

If you follow Pitt football recruiting, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that recruiting in Texas has become a big priority for the program.
Over the last few years, Pitt has signed four players from the ‘Lone Star State’– OT Jordan Fields (Houston, Texas), LB Marquan Pope (Denton, Texas), WR Che Nwabuko (Manor, Texas), QB Nate Yarnell (Austin, Texas). The Texas/Pitt connection got stronger last night as three-star quarterback Angelo Renda became the first player to commit to Pitt’s Class of 2026.
While offensive coordinator Kade Bell, tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski and defensive line coach Jeremy Darveau have vigorously recruited the state over the last year, defensive coordinator Randy Bates has spearheaded Pitt’s recruiting efforts in Texas, which started three years ago.
This entire week, Bates has traveled to various high schools and visited with many players in that talent rich state and on Wednesday that continued.
Bates made an in-home visit to 2026 defensive end Obinna Umeh from St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas.
While Umeh isn’t a household national recruit yet, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound pass rusher has been on Pitt’s radar for a while. In December, Umeh received his Pitt offer from Bates, which became his first Power 4 opportunity.
Pittsburgh Sports Now had the chance to catch up with Umeh to get his thoughts on his evening with Bates and Pitt. One thing became very evident and that is Umeh is one of the more polished and articulate high school athletes that you can talk with. His future is going to be bright, regardless of what he does on the football field.
“Having Coach Bates visit my family was such an amazing experience,” Umeh said. “After welcoming him into our home, we exchanged in-depth introductions, where he asked my parents about their story as Nigerian immigrants and making a new life in America. He was intrigued to hear they were the first in their family to travel to America and attend college here in the United States. After personal introductions, he began discussing the school and their amenities. Knowing my interest in a career as an orthopedic surgeon, coach Bates emphasized the elite medical program Pitt has to offer. As well as highlighting the academic support they provide to ensure athletes pursue their career paths. He also showed me both the academic and football facilities and staff that can help guide me toward achieving my goals.”
Umeh then described how Bates made him and his family aware of Pitt’s top-of-the-line facilities as well as their unique relationship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they share facilities.
“Coach even showed my family and me a video tour of the campus, which was phenomenal — the architecture of the city is stunning. The highlight of the visit, however, was hearing about Coach Bates’ true motivations and values. Explained why he offered me a spot on the team, telling my family, ‘I don’t just offer anyone. I’ve been in this game for eight years, and Coach Narduzzi has been in it for ten. That’s a lifetime in college football. I wouldn’t keep working for him if he didn’t have strong morals and principles for the young men we recruit.”
A huge part of recruiting is relationships, whether it be a history a coach has of recruiting a particular high school or knowing a member of the coaching staff which is the case with Umeh.
“He told me that he knew my former head coach, Rich Maguire, and that they’ve known each other for 25 years,” said Umeh. “He then said, ‘There’s something he told me about your son that I knew I had to check out for myself. So, I did the research, and let me tell you, Mr. and Mrs. Umeh, your son has good character. From everything I’ve researched, he’s not just the football player we’re looking for, but he has the character we want as well.”
End of Season Highlights DL/OLB
4.11 GPA (5 Advanced & 2 AP)
Class of 2026 pic.twitter.com/Q6qdvBQesi— Obinna Umeh (@ObinnaUmeh_) December 5, 2024
“I am fortunate to have an amazing relationship with Coach Bates. Throughout my recruitment process, he has consistently checked in on my family and I to ensure we are doing well. The thing that makes Coach Bates stand out is that he cares not only about my success in football but also about making sure I grow into a respectful, proud man. He realizes that he is not only building a football team, but a family. He frequently tells my parents that he will make sure I stay on the right path, keep my grades up, and continue to guide me — not just while attending the University of Pittsburgh, but also in life. Coach Bates made it clear that his vision for me goes beyond just football. He highlighted how Pitt is committed to developing leaders and men of character. When he spoke with my family, he took the time to show them the impact of past Nigerian players at Pitt, which really spoke to my parents. They loved hearing about how Coach Bates and Coach Narduzzi not only build great football players but also great people. The way he connects with my family and the values he’s instilling in the program really impressed me.”
While Umeh says that his recruitment is still open and that he hasn’t made a decision yet, Pitt is a place that he’s seriously considering.
“Pitt is definitely one of my top choices right now,” said Umeh. “I’m still exploring other schools and learning more about their programs, but the way Coach Bates and the staff have recruited me has really stood out. The personal touch they’ve shown, especially with Coach Bates coming to my house and spending time with my family, really means a lot to me. It’s something I’m really grateful for, and it shows the level of commitment they have in building a relationship. To be honest, that has set Pitt apart from a lot of other programs. So, to say the least, Pitt absolutely has a shot at landing my commitment.”
