Pitt FB Recruiting
McKeesport 2025 Standout Valdez Stuvaints Commits to Pitt
Former McKeesport standout Russell Stuvaints spent a combined 3 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization and was a member of the Super Bowl XL winning team that beat the Seattle Seahawks.
Now, Russell’s son will be playing football and training at the UPMC Sports Complex on the South Side.
McKeesport 2025 defensive back Valdez Stuvaints announced this morning that he was committing to the Pitt Panthers and will be joining them as a preferred walk-on.
Stuvaints decided to stay home and play for Pitt over scholarship offers from Youngstown State, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Cal U., West Virginia State and Central State University.
“Being able to stay home and play for my hometown Pitt Panthers means everything to me,” Stuvaints tells PSN. “As a kid playing football and growing up in Pittsburgh it doesn’t get much better than this, this right here is what I dreamed about.”
#AGTG 🙏SO BLESSED AND GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY #stayinghome #hometownhero @CoachDuzzPittFB @ARCHIECOLLINS_ @coachcsanders @AdamCalt @PghSportsNow @PA_TodaySports @BenTenuta @TheWPIALEdition @WPIAL_Insider @McKTigersFB @Pitt_FB @PittGuru @RussStuvaints @210ths
🔵🟡 pic.twitter.com/AnoH9TGuiG— Valdez Stuvaints (@VStuvaints3) March 21, 2025
“Pitt has always been a dream school for me. When I found out Coach Narduzzi believed in me and was willing to give me a shot that’s all I needed to hear. Although I had other opportunities to play at other programs I feel like I will get the most exposure here at Pitt.”
Staying home also gives Stuvaints the chance to develop in the same facilities as his father did. Remaining in the 412 will also allow Valdez to be mentored by his dad, who’s always been a huge presence in his life.
“Being able to stay in Pittsburgh and play in the same facility as my Dad, just gives me more motivation,” said Stuvaints. “Watching his tape and hearing stories about him always gets me hyped. Now I get my shot to play on the same field he played on.”
“I couldn’t ask for anybody better to look up to. My Dad has completed what I’m currently grinding for. He’s been through and understands what it takes to get there so to receive tips and advice from him is like inheriting a recipe. What many people don’t know is that he didn’t have a full ride scholarship to Youngstown State coming out of high school, he went on a partial scholarship and worked his way to his full ride . He believes in me to do the same thing at Pitt. If him, Coach Narduzzi and the rest of Pitt believe in me, that’s all I need.”
This past season for McKeesport, Stuvaints collected 52 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions and 6 pass breakups.
