To The Burgh: Pitt Looks to Impress Local LB Colsen Gatten

To The Burgh is a Pittsburgh Sports Now series detailing each uncommitted 2026 prospect expected to be at Pitt for an official visit in June.

While Pitt football will bring in recruits from around the country for official visits in June, the Panthers will also host a handful of important WPIAL prospects as well.

Central Catholic three-star linebacker Colsen Gatten is one of those nearby talents that will receive an in-depth experience from June 5-7.

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Pitt offered Gatten prior to his sophomore season in June of 2023, and the Panthers have pushed for the linebacker ever since. Gatten visited in the spring and was in attendance for the Pitt-Virginia game in November.

Linebacker coach Ryan Manalac has played a key role in the recruitment of Gatten and his ability to develop linebackers at the college level has stood out.

“The coach that I’ve been in touch with the most is Coach Manalac,” Gatten told PSN in February. “He really knows football and as I’ve come to learn, he’s a really good dude. He’s a really good coach but he’s a better person. I’ve also been in touch with Coach Narduzzi a lot. They were the third school to offer me, so I’ve been in touch with them a long time. Pitt has always treated me right and always treated me well.”

On3: 3| N/A Natl. | No. 93 LB | No. 40 PA
247Sports: 3| N/A Natl. | No. 60 LB | No. 26 PA
ESPN: N/A
Rivals: 3 | N/A Natl. | No. 52 LB | No. 19 PA

Stats: In 14 games as a junior, Gatten recorded 51 total tackles (28 solo), six tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries as the Vikings went on to win the Class 6A WPIAL Championship.

Check out the Hudl highlights of Colsen Gatten here.

Status: Gatten revealed his top five with PSN that consists of Pitt, West Virginia, Duke, Indiana and Oklahoma.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder cut out some other impressive offers from Penn State, Tennessee, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Nebraska, SMU and others.

Along with Pitt, he has additional official visits lined up with West Virginia (June 13-15) and Indiana.

Nate’s Take: This is going to be a tight recruiting battle to the end and for Pitt, it looks like it’s just on the outside right now. Duke and Indiana have momentum and West Virginia will get an opportunity to make up some ground with an official.

For Pitt, Manalac’s relationship with Gatten will be pivotal. Despite going to high school down the road and visiting Pitt unofficially a handful of times, a weekend immersed at Pitt will be key and could help sway a decision in the Panthers’ favor.

However, I just don’t think Pitt can do enough to do seal a commitment from Gatten.