Pitt at ‘Top of List’ For 2026 DE After In-Depth Look on Spring Visit

Pitt football has hosted its fair share of recruits to open spring camp this week with one of those prospects traveling all the way in from Texas.

Cullen Thompson — a 6-foot-4, 215-pound three-star talent out of Grand Oaks High School in Texas — was in attendance Thursday on the South Side.

Thompson, who is being recruited as an edge rusher, got an in-depth look at the Pitt facilities, along with how defensive coordinator Randy Bates runs his defense.

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“Coach Bates calls a very aggressive defensive that I love,” Thompson told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I think with my speed, I could have a lot of fun catching quarterbacks for him. The facilities are some of the best I’ve seen. It’s such an advantage being around an NFL organization everyday. I thought the campus had great energy and seemed like a cool place to learn.”

Amazing 🏈 experience @Pitt_FB ! @BatesBacker @Zone22_JLR & @CoachDuzzPittFB! #H2P @KevinSinclair_ @PghSportsNow @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney @samspiegs @CharlesPower @MikeRoach247 @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong_ @BlairAngulo @AnnaH247 @HSFBscout @Jason_Howell @R_Brauninger @BDammone pic.twitter.com/kZ6WhA0g5A

— Cullen Scott Thompson 3⭐️📈 (@_Cullenthompson) March 14, 2025

Thompson received his first Power Four offer from the Panthers in January and not long after, Bates made time to visit him in-person. On his trip to Pittsburgh, Thompson got another chance to connect with Bates and some other members of the Pitt coaching staff.

“Great conversations with coach Bates and the recruiting coordinator [Justice] Rawlins. Mostly around how they could see me contributing to the defensive scheme. Also had some great talks with coach [Tim] Daoust. He and coach Bates are planning to visit me during our High School Spring practices.”

While Thompson plans to visit several other schools over the coming months, the experience in the Steel City left a strong impression on him.

“I do have a lot of travel planned still, but Pittsburgh is a great city. I loved the feel of the campus, and the top notch football are keeping Pitt at the top of my list. It was a great experience,” he said.

Thompson is rated as a 5.6 three-star, according to Rivals, and holds offers from Pitt, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, San Diego State, UTSA, UNLV, Army, Texas State, Arkansas State and others. He has one official visit scheduled so far with UNLV on June 13-15.