Pitt FB Recruiting
New Pitt QB Commit Angelo Renda Couldn’t Wait to be a Panther
Angelo Renda wasn’t exactly looking for a sign, but when he received one, he knew what to do.
Pitt came calling earlier this month, extending an offer on Jan. 3. It felt good, of course, but it felt different than the others. It wasn’t just another offer this time. Renda — a 6-foot, 180-pound three-star quarterback from Southlake Carroll in Texas — felt something new with the Panthers. He felt a pull he had never felt before.
The offer from Pitt, and the connection with offensive coordinator Kade Bell and tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski, stood out for a couple of reasons.
Renda hasn’t even officially visited Pitt, but as he considered the connection built with Bell and Bronowski, and the opportunity with the Panthers, he started to consider it more seriously. And it didn’t take long to lock in — not with Bell and Bronowski sitting in his living room.
“I know that God has a purpose for me, so them coming to my house and just having the conversation we had, He put it in my heart to commit, get it done and I can see some wins in the future,” Renda told Pittsburgh Sports Now.
LET’S WORK!! #COMMITTED 🔵🟡 @CoachDuzzPittFB @Kb1Raw @coachjbronowski @CoachKlineAlex @coachrdodge @SLC_Recruiting @CarrollDragonFB @J_ChristensenQB @QBHitList @ThrowItDeep #H2P #HTG #PlayFastScoreFaster🚦 pic.twitter.com/fuNUI75xQ6
— Angelo Renda (@AngeloRenda2026) January 22, 2025
It took 19 days. It took less than three weeks for Renda to commit to the Panthers. And since committing, as a kid from Texas, he’s been asked so many questions. But one has stood out.
“Everybody kind of asks me, why Pitt?” Renda said. “Why Pitt?
“I love the coaches. I love the atmosphere. I’ve been to Pittsburgh a bunch in my life; I really love it. I love the coaches, coach Bell and coach Bronowski came to my house a couple of days ago, and I just wanted to lock it in. They’re some good dudes, good coaches, and obviously coach Narduzzi has been there a long time. Won a lot of football games. I want to win a championship, and this is the greatest team to do that with.”
Renda hasn’t even taken an unofficial visit to Pitt, but he has been to Pittsburgh. He’s had family go to school in the city, and his father has a lot of business in the area. So, he’s no stranger to the Steel City.
Still, he’s eager for the first chance to get back to Pittsburgh as the newest quarterback commitment. It means another chance to connect with Bell.
“We talk a lot of ball,” Renda said. “And the offense that he runs is perfect for my style of play. They’re a high-tempo, fast-paced offense, and that fits my skill set. They’re looking for a guy that wins to win and that’s what I’m all about. I want to win; I want to lead, and I want to make plays. And that’s what coach Bell’s offense requires if you want to be the quarterback. I kind of fit that to a T.”
Renda was dominant as a junior, leading Southlake Carroll to a 15-1 record against some of the best competition in the country. He completed 257-of-360 pass attempts for 3,901 yards with 40 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, adding 667 yards (7.0 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
The only thing that evaded Renda as a junior was a state title — something he’s determined to rectify as a senior. Southlake Carroll went unbeaten in the regular season, advancing to the Texas Class-6A Division II championship game. The Dragons fell, 24-17, in heartbreaking fashion. He’s determined to get back, win and then keep winning at Pitt.
“(Pitt fans) got a winner,” Renda said. “I’m here to win, I’m here to stay and I’m here to bring some guys with me. So, I got to get this 2026 recruiting class rolling. We’re working on it right now, but it’s going to be fun. I’m excited for the journey and can’t wait to be a Panther.”
Junior SZN Highlights ‼️ ‼️
– 15-1
– 257/360 72%
– 3901 Passing Yds
– 40 PTD’s
– 95 carries
– 667 Yds
– 14 RTD’s
– 4-6A District MVP@coachrdodge @CoachBarnhill_ @SLC_Recruiting @CarrollDragonFB @GPowersScout @QBHitList @CKennedy247 @RivalsWardlaw @MikeRoach247 pic.twitter.com/uMy0AodQuc— Angelo Renda (@AngeloRenda2026) December 29, 2024
Renda is the first commitment in the class, and while he wouldn’t have cared if he was the second or third, or whatever, he likes being the first. There aren’t a whole lot of recruits who can say they were the first — he can. And he can make an impact as perhaps the most important recruit in the class.
He’s excited to lead the way. As the first commitment, and the de-facto leader of the class, he’s already started reaching out to potential teammates. His teammate and TCU wide receiver commit Brock Boyd received an offer this week. Renda retweeted Michigan commit and four-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile announcing his Pitt offer Thursday night. There’s a lot of work to be done.
And of course, he still has to make it out to Pitt — unofficially and officially — for the first time. There’s a visit in the works for a spring practice appearance — and maybe one to campus before that. And he has an official visit in the summer, too.
Renda may have committed quickly, before his recruiting process was likely to kick into full gear this summer, but he received the sign he needed. And he couldn’t be happier now.
