Pitt FB Recruiting
Teammate of Pitt Commit, 3-Star LB Highly Interested in Panthers
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — On Sunday, Detroit Cass Technical 2026 teammates Marcus Jennings and Brian Stovall Jr. hit the field together for the Under Armour Next Camp in Ohio.
The close-knit duo is always together when it comes to football-related activities, including recruiting. Both have one key thing in common on that front and it’s Pitt football.
Jennings is a three-star outside linebacker Pitt commit after making his verbal pledge in March. For Stovall, the Panthers offered back in May of 2024 and they are a top team for the three-star prospect. The high interest in Pitt has only gone up a notch since Jennings committed.
“It’s always good to go to college with someone you been knowing, been grinding with since Day 1. That’s a big piece in the relationship with Pitt,” Stovall told Pittsburgh Sports Now.
Making the roughly four-and-a-half hour drive from Michigan, Jennings and Stovall took in a Pitt spring practice together on April 3.
“It was good,” Stovall said about the experience. “The bond there, it feels like love. It feels like you’re at home. The coaches there, they treat me well. I see a lot of development there. I just like it over there for sure.”
Brian Stovall (left) takes in Pitt practice with teammate and commit Marcus Jennings (right)/ April 3, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.
Pitt is looking at Stovall, who stands at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, to line up as an edge rusher or his preferred linebacker position. Linebackers coach Ryan Manalac is leading the recruitment and wants to see more of what Stovall can do on the field.
“It’s going good,” Stovall said on his relationship with Manalac. “Me and Coach Manalac, we text. He’s coming to the workout on May 13, so I’m trying to put on a show so I can go down there in the future.
“They’re trying to find me at either linebacker or edge, but I’m trying to show them I can play linebacker. Show them my speed, my quickness.”
At the UA Camp, Stovall had another opportunity to show scouts from the various recruiting networks his skillset.
“I showed a lot of physicality. I have sneaky speed, so I wanted to showcase my speed being able to shuffle my feet and stuff like that,” he said.
Along with Pitt, Michigan State, Toledo and Indiana are top schools amongst his recruitment. Additional offers include Kentucky, Colorado State, Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Akron, Western Michigan, Buffalo and UMass. He is looking to set up an official visit at Pitt, but for now, he’ll be at Toledo from June 13-15.
Stovall is nearing a decision hopefully in May, he says, and there are some aspects that are important to him when finding a school
“I need to see a brotherhood and a father-son connection with the coaches with how they treat me and develop me,” he said. “Nutrition for sure to keep me in shape. Stay on me during academics, too. Academics is a big piece for me for sure.”
