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Pitt FB Recruiting

Major Pitt Transfer Portal Target Commits to Big Ten Program

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Pitt offensive lineman Rocco Spindler

Pitt has landed Charlotte transfer Kendall Stanley, Richmond transfer Keith Gouveia and Michigan transfer Jeff Persi from the transfer portal this offseason, but unfortunately for the Panthers, the top target has committed elsewhere.

Notre Dame transfer Rocco Spindler committed to Nebraska on Sunday afternoon, he announced on social media. It’s a tough blow for the Panthers to miss out on a target that had serious interest in the program — and would have fill a major need on the field.

Spindler — a 6-foot-5, 325-pound interior offensive lineman from Clarkston, Mich. — considered Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Pitt and Virginia after entering the transfer portal following the Fighting Irish’s national championship appearance.

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Spindler is the son of former Pitt Panther, Marc Spindler. The elder Spindler was selected in the 1990 NFL Draft and spent nearly a decade in the NFL.

The younger Spindler was a top recruit out of high school, a consensus top 100 recruit in the class of 2021, and chose Notre Dame over offers from Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Spindler is an experienced lineman, making 23 starts over the last two seasons for the Fighting Irish. He went down with an injury at the end of the 2023 season, missed the first three games of this season and returned to the lineup following his recovery — sticking in the lineup through the Irish’s championship game appearance.

According to PFF, Spindler played 747 offensive snaps this season. He allowed 10 pressures and zero sacks. And he has well over 1,300 offensive snaps under his belt.

Pitt lost Branson Taylor to injury this season (and subsequently to the NFL Draft), which forced Ryan Baer from right tackle to left tackle. It opened a massive hole on the offensive line. Lyndon Cooper and BJ Williams are set to return at center and guard, respectively, but Pitt needed to revamp the unit.

The Pitt coaching staff looked to upgrade its starting unit and supplement its depth via the portal. Stanley, Gouveia and Persi were added from the portal, supplementing at tackle and guard, respectively, but the coaching staff wanted more.

Spindler would’ve been an excellent addition on the line, but the Panthers have added potential Day 1 starters — and could always add in the spring portal window.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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