Pitt FB Recruiting
Former WPIAL & Texas A&M OL Joining Pitt as Walk-On
For the second time in less than a week, a former WPIAL player has joined Pitt as a walk-on.
Last week, former South Fayette and Sacred Heart defensive lineman/linebacker Cam Rosinsky joined Pitt as a preferred walk-on (PWO) from the transfer portal. Now, Pitt added a former standout from Washington County on Monday.
Offensive lineman Ty Banco tells Pittsburgh Sports Now that he’s accepted an offer to join Pitt as a PWO.
I’m proud to announce that after a great visit w @coachduzzpittfb @coachdarveau @adamcalt I’m coming HOME & committed to @Pitt_FB . I’m ready to work & represent the best university & city in the nation! Thank you to my parents, family & friends for ur continued support! H2P pic.twitter.com/WuO5Y2NQW6
— Ty Banco (@tybanco4) May 19, 2025
Back on April 25, Banco left Texas A&M and entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. The 6-1, 330-pound Trinity High School product has three years of eligibility remaining.
— Ty Banco (@tybanco4) April 25, 2025
“At first, Pitt’s assistant offensive line coach, Coach [LaVonne Gauthney], reached out to me,” Banco tells PSN. “When that happened, I thought to myself, that would be cool, coming back to my hometown to possibly play and playing for the team that I always watched growing up. After another conversation with Coach LJ as I was moving out of A&M, I then got a call from Coach Narduzzi on Friday. Coach told me that we really want you here, that he really wanted me to come play for him. Really, the entire staff has been really great to me and nice. So, in the end, I just really wanted to come back home and play for Pitt.”
Aside from really pursuing him and showing him that they wanted him, the Pitt staff also explained to Banco the eventual opportunity that he could have with the team as an offensive guard or center.
“As far as being a walk-on, they said that I’d still be a part of the 105 stuff if that grandfather stuff doesn’t go into effect,” Banco said. “So, I’d still be on the roster and after that, everything would be up to me and what I show them and how I produce. If I’m able to do that, I can get on the field and play.”
“Looking back at my time at Texas A&M, it was being a part of SEC football, a lot of big-time people there. Unfortunately, my last two years there, I didn’t really get a chance to compete there for a starting job, but I feel like coming to Pitt that I will be given the chance to compete for a starting job. I just have to prove myself.”
Banco is in the process of getting relocated back to Pittsburgh and can’t wait to meet his new teammates, coaches and get on the field in training camp. While he knows it may not come right away, Banco is just happy to be wearing the Blue and Gold and to be back in ‘the Burgh’.
“This means everything to me,” says Banco. “Instead of my parents having to catch a flight early in the morning, they just down 30 minutes. I’m going to love the chance to play in front of my family and I believe that will bring the best out of me.”
