Pitt Football
Longtime Pitt Walk-On Wide Receiver Hits Transfer Portal
Peter Vardzel has been with the Pitt football program as a walk-on wide receiver since the 2021 season.
After four years at Pitt, where he earned his degree, Vardzel has officially entered the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining, he announced on X Tuesday.
“First, I want to thank God for the opportunities I’ve been blessed with,” Vardzel began in a post on X. “I’m incredibly grateful to the University of Pittsburgh, the coaching staff, my teammates, my family, and everyone who supported me over the past four years. I earned my B.S. in Finance, graduated Magna Cum Laude, was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll, and won an ACC Championship. Over my career, I played both WR and started on special teams. With one year of eligibility left, I’m entering the NCAA Transfer Portal as a graduate transfer to pursue my master’s and continue playing the game I love.”
— Peter Vardzel (@peter_vardzel) April 1, 2025
Vardzel did not appear on the original roster at the start of Pitt spring camp in March.
A 6-foot, 190-pound talent from Charleston, S.C., Vardzel primarily served on special teams for the Panthers over the years. After redshirting his freshman season as a walk-on, Vardzel saw time in 13 games over his career with time at wide out and did not record any stats. In 2024, he played in one game against Youngstown State.
Vardzel joined Pitt out of Wando High School and followed his brothers, John and Michael, who both played wide receiver at Pitt under head coach Pat Narduzzi.
