Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Adds Third LB Commitment from Three-Star Desmond Johnson
Linebackers coach Ryan Manalac and Pitt football continue to stack linebacker recruits in the 2026 class.
The latest commitment comes from Desmond Johnson — a 6-foot-1, 195 pound three-star prospect out of Miami Northwestern High School in Florida, he announced on Sunday.
After a couple day at pitt this weekend they made a big impression on me and my family i enjoyed the coaches and the players I wanna thank my family and coaches for getting me to this point #H2P @pitt_FB@CoachDuzzPittFB@Coach_Manalac@CoachJJLaster@Kb1Raw pic.twitter.com/V3DfvWvm7e
— Desmond johnson (@dez14_) June 15, 2025
Johnson was previously scheduled to take his official visit to Pittsburgh during the third weekend of June but moved it up a week and it resulted in a commitment.
He selects the Panthers over other offers from Michigan, Florida State, N.C. State, Louisville, SMU, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, UCF, USF, Liberty, Western Kentucky and others. He took his first official visit to in-state UCF last weekend.
Pitt and Manalac extended an offer to Johnson back in February and the relationship has only grown. Johnson also attends the same high school that former Panther and NFL defensive tackle Calijah Kancey did as Pitt was banking off that pipeline.
According to MaxPreps, Johnson recorded 83 tackles (48 solo), seven sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one pass breakup in 10 games. He was a key piece of a Northwestern defense that went on to win the Class 3A state title under head coach and former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Rivals views Johnson as a three-star recruit, the No. 48 linebacker in the class and 98th prospect out of Florida.
Johnson becomes the third linebacker recruit to commitment in Pitt’s 2026 class, joining three-star Michigan native Marcus Jennings and three-star Virginia recruit Isaiah Simmons.
Pitt continues to load up on high school talent. In last year’s recruiting class, the Panthers brought in just two linebacker recruits with Emmanuel Taylor and Justin Thompson. In the 2024 class, it was Davin Brewton, Cameron Lindsey and Jeremiah Marcelin.
The Panthers have also added a second quarterback to its 2026 class with Texas three-star Corey Dailey committing on Saturday as he joins fellow Texan and three-star recruit Angelo Renda.
