Pitt FB Recruiting
Strong Bond Leads to Three-Star Receiver Placing Pitt in Top Six
Relationships are a critical part of recruiting and Pitt has landed its fair share of recruits over the years primarily on those efforts.
The Pitt staff has worked hard to maintain a longstanding bond with a three-star wide receiver from the state of Georgia who recently listed the Panthers as a finalist in their recruitment.
Peyton Zachary — a 5-foot-7, 160-pound receiver out of Carrollton High School — announced his top six schools on Wednesday, narrowing a list of 29 Division I offers to Pitt, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Indiana and UNLV.
#AGTG 🙏🏾Where’s home? pic.twitter.com/3nUWOrvlIQ
— Peyton Zachary (@peytonzachary4) February 26, 2025
While Pitt will battle against some top-tier competition, especially in the SEC, Zachary says the Panthers are in the mix because of the relationship with the staff.
“Coach [Kade] Bell came and stopped by this past recruiting period and told me he was interested in having me. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow that bond this spring,” Zachary told Pittsburgh Sports Now.
Zachary points towards the comfortability with a coaching staff as a key factor in his future home. Pitt has certainly pushed to build that connection. The two sides will look to further that bond with a potential spring visit.
“I’m looking forward to heading up there this spring for my first visit, but they have came to see me plenty of times at my school,” Zachary said.
Another aspect of what makes the Panthers so appealing to the 2026 talent is the recent production from the receiver room.
“Every year Pitt has an outstanding player in their receiving room and I feel like I can be that guy,” he said.
Pitt offered Zachary back on Dec. 11, 2023. Since then, the coaching staff has watched the development of the Georgia native.
“The coaches love how explosive I’am with the ball in my hands and have offered me very early in my high school career,” Zachary said.
We didn’t get the outcome we wanted, but we left it all on the field. Proud of my brothers for fighting until the very end. This season was one for the books, and I’ll carry these memories forever. #PZ4 #Persevere #Zen #4thQuarter @CarrolltonTroj1 @CoachJoeyKing @JoshBarge12 pic.twitter.com/22AmCHvmgj
— Peyton Zachary (@peytonzachary4) December 19, 2024
During his junior season, Zachary totaled 77 receptions — a Carrollton single-season record — for 969 yards and 10 touchdowns as he excelled on the receiving end of one of the top 2025 quarterback prospects in five-star Colorado commit Julian Lewis. Carrollton finished 14-1 on the season after falling in the 6A state title game.
Zachary has put up some impressive numbers across his first three seasons of high school football with 172 receptions, 2,577 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns.
According to 247Sports, Zachary is an 85 overall three-star prospect. He ranks as the No. 167 receiver in the 2026 cycle and 85th player out of Georgia.
