Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Safety Commit Lines Up Official Visit
Isaac Patterson felt it was the perfect time to commit to Pitt in February, becoming just the second recruit in the Panthers’ 2026 class.
The three-star safety has become a frequent visitor of the Pitt program, leading to his offer and commitment. Now, he will visit the Panthers at least two more times in the coming months, including an official visit.
Patterson announced Thursday that he has lined up his Pitt official visit for June 12-14. He will also take an unofficial visit during spring ball on March 22.
I’ll be with @Pitt_FB June 12-14th for my Official Visit! #H2P pic.twitter.com/EGCgVzf0HB
— Isaac Patterson 3⭐️ DB (@IsaacPatt_) February 27, 2025
“I just feel that in this day and age of recruiting that there’s so much that can happen now,” Patterson told Pittsburgh Sports Now last week about his commitment. “I was just talking with my coaches and parents and my coach told me something that I was thinking about for while. He told me that if I felt something that felt right that you have to make the move.
“Right now, that’s how it feels with Pitt. Everything feels right and everything feels genuine. The coaches are honest and I feel in this day and age of college football that’s very important in the recruiting process.”
The 6-foot 180-pound talent out of Westerville South High School just outside of Columbus, Ohio selected the Panthers over other offers from Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky, Dartmouth, Penn, Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Ohio , Eastern Michigan, Bucknell and Miami (OH).
Linebackers coach Ryan Manalac has been a key part of Patterson’s recruitment, but it is the strong connection and honesty with safeties coach Cory Sanders that solidified the commitment.
“Coach Sanders has always been an honest and genuine guy with me, which is one of the reasons we have such a strong relationship.
“He never lied to me about where I stood with him. He never said we want you the most out of any defensive back. There is never any smoke and mirrors with Coach Sanders,” Patterson said.
As a junior, Patterson led Westerville South on offense with 24 receptions for 460 yards (19.2 yards per reception) and four touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded up 52 tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception and seven pass breakups.
Patterson says Pitt has him slotted at free safety due to his length, speed and aggressiveness.
“Coach Sanders told me because of my speed and my frame and obviously playing both sides of the ball in high school, I have really good ball skills. That’s all they really look for in a DB. He said I check all the boxes and check all of them really well,” Patterson said in January.
Patterson secured an offer from Manalac and secondary/cornerbacks coach Archie Collins not long ago while on a Junior Day visit in January. He was also in attendance for the Pitt home opener against Kent State.
Along with Patterson, Pitt will host four-star running back Favour Akih, four-star offensive lineman Day’Jon Moore, three-star athlete Nyqir Helton, three-star edge rusher/linebacker Reilarean Phillips and tight ends Adam Land and Javonte Williams on June 12-14.
