Remaining Needs in the 2026 Pitt Recruiting Class

The final weekend of Pitt football’s official visits is about to commence with the Panthers sitting at 18 total commitments and one still unannounced.

Through the first two weekends, Pitt is in an excellent spot with its 2026 recruiting class and not a whole lot of room left to add recruits. Still, a focus on development and stocking up on high school recruits has been evident with this class, so the coaching staff could overload this class.

A lot of names have shifted from this weekend’s official visit list with 10 previously expected prospects now committed to other programs.

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While Pittsburgh Sports Now works on gathering names for the final weekend of official visit, let’s take a look at what positions Pitt could possibly add to.

The quarterbacks, wide receivers — possibly one more commitment coming — and linebackers look to be at capacity for the 2026 class.

Pitt 2026 quarterback Angelo Renda

Two position groups that could potentially add, but are unlikely to are the tight ends and offensive line. Tight end Wyatt Villarreal committed to Pitt after the first weekend in June, but the Panthers are still a player for Javonte Williams and Zachery Turner, who both recently visited.

Offensive line could be done as well with four recruits: Day’Jon Moore and John Curran III in the interior and Nick Howard and Mike van der Oord at offensive tackle. Landry Brede left his official visit uncommitted, but Pitt appears to be a top contender for him. However, I don’t expect the Panthers to land him.

As for true areas of need remaining in the class, it primarily comes on the defensive side of the ball.

The secondary continues to be a focus. Pitt has one safety in Isaac Patterson and one cornerback in Kentrail Mcrae Jr.

Pitt has continued to offer a few 2026 defensive backs here and there in recent weeks, including the younger brother of Francis Brewu, Joseph Brewu. Pitt is still actively looking for defensive back help in the class and that could potentially come from Texas cornerback Isaiah McMillian, who was on campus last weekend and is highly interested in the Panthers.

Isaiah McMillian

Georgia defensive back Tony Forney Jr. is another option for Pitt and he has the Panthers as a top five school. Xavier Jackson is still in play, too. He visited during the first weekend and just came off an official at North Carolina.

Looking elsewhere, the defensive line could still use some help. Pitt landed WPIAL products in Lincoln Hoke at defensive tackle and defensive end Reston Lehman.

I’d expect Pitt to still try and add one prospect at each spot. Last class, Pitt only took one defensive tackle, so that’s a priority this class. Logan Nagle is projected as a defensive tackle for Pitt and he was on campus two weeks ago. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers can land him.

On the offensive side of the ball, Pitt could certainly use another running back in the class. Four-star Damon Ferguson is one of the biggest prospects in the class and a major win for the Panthers. However, Pitt missed out on Georgia prospect Christian Lawrence, who committed to Wake Forest.

2026 Pitt Recruiting Class Positional Breakdown

Quarterback: 2 — Angelo Renda, Corey Dailey

Running back: 1 — Damon Ferguson

Wide receiver: 3 — Jaydon Dunbar, Dylan Wester, Demetrice McCray

Tight end: 1 — Wyatt Villarreal

Offensive linemen: 4 — John Curran III, Mike van der Oord, Nicholas Howard, Day’Jon Moore

Defensive tackle: 1 — Lincoln Hoke

Defensive end: 1 — Reston Lehman

Linebacker: 3 — Marcus Jennings, Isaiah Simmons, Desmond Johnson

Cornerback: 1 — Kentrail Mcrae

Safety: 1 — Isaac Patterson