Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Pledge Isaac Patterson Example of How Staff Keeps Deep Connection
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Isaac Patterson became Pitt football’s second verbal pledge in the 2026 class back in February and in the three months since then, his commitment to the Panthers has only gotten stronger.
This week, the three-star safety received an in-home visit from both position coach Cory Sanders and area recruiter Ryan Manalac.
It was just another example of how the Pitt staff is continuing to make Patterson feel like a priority despite already holding a commitment with the program, similar to each of the five Pitt commits in the class.
“It shows that I’m not falling down anywhere,” Patterson told Pittsburgh Sports Now at the end of April at the Under Armour Next Camp in Ohio. “Just because I’m committed, they still want me as bad as they did as I was uncommitted. They still care as much about me, so it’s really important to me.”
Always great to see my guys, thank you @coachcsanders and @Coach_Manalac for stopping by! Excited for the OV! #H2P pic.twitter.com/rzDROsT3bd
— Isaac Patterson 3⭐️ DB (@IsaacPatt_) May 8, 2025
Speaking with Sanders and Manalac remains a constant dating all the way back to when Pitt started pursuing him nearly a year ago, which led to several visits and the ultimate commitment.
“I talk to Coach Sanders and Coach Manalac weekly. Coach Sanders usually calls me on like a Wednesday or a Tuesday. Manalac always calls me Sunday night checks how I’m doing after work. Just catch up every week and ask how the fam is doing,” Patterson said.
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi has also been present in the recruitment as Patterson continues to grow a connection with him.
“He’s a great guy, great coach, especially from what I’ve heard from the coaches around him. It’s like one big family. He checks in on me once every two weeks. He’ll text me, ask how I’m doing. He’ll call me. I’m really starting to grow a relationship with him and he’s a really good guy,” Patterson said.
While Patterson was ready to lock in his commitment, he needed to make sure his parents felt comfortable with the staff, especially since they have played an important role in his process.
“My parents weren’t sure about me committing until they actually got to meet and talk with Coach Sanders and Coach Duzz. They really like Coach Sanders. They believe in everything he believes in. They like how honest he is and just believe that’s the best fit for me as well,” he said.
When Patterson committed, he held offers from Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky, Dartmouth, Penn, Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Bucknell, Miami (OH). Since then, he has held some conversations with the likes of Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan, but he is making his allegiance known to the Panthers.
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
“Coach Narduzzi asked me the same question. He was like, ‘What if Ohio State offers you the next day?’ I was like, ‘It’s not going to mean anything.’ At Pitt, it really feels like a family. And I know if I go to Pitt my freshman year, I’m going to have a chance to compete for a starting spot,” Patterson said.
Another key aspect to Patterson’s decision to lock in at Pitt is the development on the field.
“That’s one of the reasons I committed because I really liked how they’re developing their players and how many guys they’ve sent to the league,” he said. “I believe they’re top five in the country for sending DBs to the league and that’s really attractive to me, especially with the end goal of the NFL.”
Patterson was in town for a spring practice on March 22 and will be back for his official visit on June 12-14, where he looks to experience more of campus.
“Really about all the academics and actually get to see campus because I’ve been up there a couple of times, but I’ve never got to look around at campus,” Patterson said. “I’ve only seen the football side of things and I’m really interested to learn about the academics side of things.”
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