Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Commits, Targets Talk Recruiting at Under Armour Next Camp
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The Under Armour Next Camp series continues its 2025 tour across the country and on Sunday made a stop just outside of Columbus, Ohio.
Talent from around the region, including those who traveled from Pittsburgh, took to the field at Pickerington High School North to compete against other top high school players.
Two Pitt commits were in attendance with three-star outside linebacker Marcus Jennings from Cass Technical High School in Michigan and three-star safety Isaac Patterson from nearby Westerville South High School located roughly 30 minutes northwest of the camp.
Pittsburgh Sports Now caught up with the two Pitt commits and other recruits from the 2026 and 2027 classes to discuss the Panthers.
Jennings had a strong showing all afternoon as he displayed his quick sideline-to-sideline ability as a linebacker in coverage against a group of running backs.
Pitt 2026 LB commit Marcus Jennings with some really solid coverage in backs vs. backers at the Under Armour Next Camp in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/n7d7YG6aVV
— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) April 27, 2025
“The best parts of my game are I’d say I got a high motor. Real intense with my play style, great break on the ball and make plays overall,” he said.
The 6-3, 190-pound recruit committed to Pitt just over a month ago in March. He would return to Pitt for a spring visit in April with teammate Brian Stovall. Although Jennings is committed, he is still hearing from other schools, including Louisville.
When it comes to Stovall, Pitt is an option for the three-star linebacker. The spring visit stood out to him as he took note of the strong brotherhood within the program. Linebacker coach Ryan Manalac is planning to visit for a workout at school in the near future, Stovall said.
As of now, Stovall is considering Pitt, Michigan State, Indiana and Toledo as he hopes to commit sometime in May.
For Patterson, he had some flashes with a few key pass breakups in the one-on-one portion of the camp, which included a pick.
Pitt 2026 safety commit Isaac Patterson closes ground and nearly picks off a pass in a 1v1 at the Under Armour Next Camp in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/L5ubTwb45t
— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) April 27, 2025
Patterson has been committed to Pitt since February and he’s now receiving strong interest from nearby Ohio State. Michigan State, Michigan, Vanderbilt have also shown interest.
Even with some more schools getting involved, Patterson reaffirmed his pledge to Pitt.
“Coach Narduzzi asked me the same question. He was like, ‘What if Ohio State offers you the next day?’ I was like, ‘That’s going to mean nothing,’ because at Pitt, it really feels like family,” Patterson said.
As for some of the other intriguing Pitt options in attendance, many of them were from the 2027 class with a trio of linemen.
Reed Gerken — a 6-foot-5, 290-pound prospect from Perrysburg High School in Ohio — praised the Pitt program after he received an offer on a recent visit in March. Area recruiter Tim Daoust has continued to build a relationship with Gerken.
The three-star recruit says Pitt is up there right now with Kentucky, along with Ohio State and Tennessee, who have yet to offer.
Winton Woods High School (Ohio) product Lual Aleu also competed on Sunday. He added a Pitt offer while at the spring game on April 12. He sees Pitt as a top-five school right now due to the coaching staff and communication. The 6-5, 305-pound three-star talent holds additional offers from Florida, Missouri, Cincinnati, Maryland, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Kentucky and others.
WPIAL offensive lineman James Halter was another prospect that recently landed an offer from Pitt. The Central Catholic talent is making the switch from tight end to offensive line and had a solid showing Sunday.
Central Catholic offensive lineman James Halter at the Under Armour Next Camp in Pickerington, Ohio. April 27, 2025 / Nathan Breisinger. PSN.
Halter has added additional offers from Michigan State, Rutgers, NC State, Boston College and Duke, while receiving some interest from Ohio State.
Central Catholic teammate Zachary Gleason Jr., who is becoming a key defensive back target, also performed at the UA Camp. The 6-foot, 165-pound Gleason has had a busy spring slate with visits to Michigan State, Ohio State, Rutgers, Virginia tech, Indiana and Pitt, who offered last June.
“I really like Pitt,” he said. “They’re high right now. I’m really liking them. The love they show when I go up there is always good.”
McKeesport wide receiver Javien Robinson, who saw his recruiting profile boost to four-star status recently, showed his route running ability and utilized his big frame to make plays on Sunday.
Pitt is showing interest after recently visiting him at school. He was in attendance for Pitt-Syracuse in the fall.
“That would feel good to get a hometown offer from Pitt,” he said.
Penn State and Ohio State are others that are expressing interest. He holds offers from Rutgers, Syracuse, Akron, Sacramento State and Duquesne.
