Analysis: What it Means for Pitt to Have Two QB Commits in 2026

In the transfer portal era of college football, it’s easy to get caught up in quick roster fixes from season to season.

Recruiting shifted and prioritizing high school talent and development was on its way to becoming a lost art. However, balance is being restored and high school recruiting is starting to return back to its previous levels.

That’s especially true when looking at Pitt football’s 2026 class and even more so when it comes to the quarterback situation. There’s a growing emphasis from Pitt in this class when it comes to development.

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Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kade Bell picked up his second quarterback commitment in the 2026 class Saturday with three-star Corey Dailey out of Seguin, Texas. He joins fellow Texan three-star Angelo Renda as the future signal callers of Pitt football.

Seguin QB Corey Dailey getting ready to go in 7-on-7 action in College Station today. Great frame, easy delivery.@Dailey4Corey | @Seguin_Football pic.twitter.com/GbSrYx7T5B

— Ryan Brauninger (@R_Brauninger) June 3, 2025

Only one time under head coach Pat Narduzzi has Pitt signed two quarterbacks and that came in the 2018 class with Ricky Town and Nick Patti.

Pitt has often looked at transfer options under Narduzzi and some have panned out nicely and some haven’t. Nate Peterman, Max Browne, Joey Yellen, Phil Jurkovec, Kedon Slovis and Eli Holstein make up that group of transfers.

It’s become quite clear that Pitt and Bell want to focus on developing quarterbacks over transfer portal options moving forward. Pitt prefers quarterbacks — and every position for that matter — to spend a few years growing within the program rather than a quick plug-in type option.

There’s still six months until the early National Signing Day, but the Pitt staff has made it known that they want two quarterbacks in the class and that’s where it stands now.

It also bolsters a room that has become recently thin with the departures of scholarship players in Julian Dugger, Nate Yarnell and Ty Dieffenbach.

With Dailey committing to Pitt, it also raises the question on if Renda will remain apart of the 2025 class?

As of now, there’s no doubt that Renda will stay a Panther and that quarterback competition is certainly welcomed.

They are two completely different players. Renda stands a 6-foot and is dynamic with a good arm and is a threat to run. Dailey stands at a lengthy 6-foot-6 and is more of a pocket passer with an excellent arm.

Junior SZN Highlights ‼️ ‼️
– 15-1
– 257/360 72%
– 3901 Passing Yds
– 40 PTD’s
– 95 carries
– 667 Yds
– 14 RTD’s
– 4-6A District MVP@coachrdodge @CoachBarnhill_ @SLC_Recruiting @CarrollDragonFB @GPowersScout @QBHitList @CKennedy247 @RivalsWardlaw @MikeRoach247 pic.twitter.com/uMy0AodQuc

— Angelo Renda (@AngeloRenda2026) December 29, 2024

There’s plenty for Bell to work with in the coming years between Renda, Dailey and the remainder of the Pitt quarterback room and that’s exactly how he wants it.

Here’s a break down of the Pitt quarterback room over the coming years:

Senior: Cole Gonzales

Redshirt sophomore: Eli Holstein, David Lynch (walk-on)

Freshmen: Mason Heintschel, Beau Jackson (walk-on)

2026 class: Angelo Renda, Corey Dailey