Pitt Lands Transfer QB Cole Gonzales, Who Played Under Kade Bell at WCU

Pitt football went through spring camp with just three scholarship quarterbacks, but that has now changed as the Panthers have added a signal caller from the transfer portal.

Cole Gonzales — a 6-foot, 198-pound talent out of Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. — committed to Pitt Saturday evening, Pittsburgh Sports Now confirmed.

Let’s Run It Back @fastboidez pic.twitter.com/q7548OiD9I

— Cole Gonzales (@ColeGonzales8) April 26, 2025

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Gonzales reunites with offensive coordinator Kade Bell, who coached him as his coordinator at Western Carolina for two seasons. Pitt was considered a top choice when Gonzales left Western Carolina after the 2024 season in the fall, but he chose Oklahoma instead. He visited the Panthers in December before selecting the Sooners.

After a brief spring camp stint with the Sooners, Gonzales re-entered the portal on April 24. It took two days before the Panthers landed him.

During the 2024 season at Western Carolina, Gonzales completed 205-of-322 passes for 2,543 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also posted 212 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.

As a sophomore under Bell, Gonzales tossed for 2,803 yards and 28 touchdowns — an FCS best —  to just eight interceptions as he became a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award (most outstanding FCS offensive player). He also added 203 rushing yards.

His freshman campaign saw him earn Southern Conference All-Freshman team honors after he completed 102-of-161 passes for 1,336 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Along with Bell, Gonzales also rejoins former teammates in running back Desmond Reid and wide receivers Censere Lee and Raphael Williams.

With Gonzales, Pitt now has four scholarship quarterbacks with Eli Holstein, Julian Dugger and Mason Heintschel, along with walk-on David Lynch.

The addition of Gonzales brings in a veteran presence with familiarity in Bell’s offense, which will build more depth competition behind Holstein.