Pitt FB Recruiting
Which Top 2027 WPIAL Recruits are Pitt Prioritizing, Contacting?
Since the start of the direct contact period for 2027 recruits, the Pitt football staff has been busy reaching out to important targets and that includes top recruits in the WPIAL.
The Panthers have offered 10 WPIAL prospects in the 2027 class and the staff has been working on strengthening relationships with those players.
Here’s a quick look at who Pitt has offered in the WPIAL 2027 class:
- West Mifflin RB Armand Hill (West Virginia commit)
- McKeesport RB Kemon Spell (Penn State commit)
- Seton LaSalle WR Khalil Taylor (Penn State commit)
- Central Catholic OL Jimmy Kalis
- Central Catholic OL James Halter
- Central Catholic OL Jon Sassic
- Central Catholic DB Zachary Gleason Jr.
- Imani Christian DB Gabriel Jenkins
- Penn Hills ATH Carter Bonner
- McKeesport WR Javien Robinson
While a few of those players in Pitt’s backyard have committed elsewhere, it hasn’t stopped Pitt from inquiring on their recruitment. Along with that, Pitt is also building relationships with certain players who they have yet to offer but still have an eye on.
One Pitt’s top priorities in the WPIAL for the 2027 class happens to also be a significant prospect for many other elite programs and that is Central Catholic offensive tackle Jimmy Kalis.
The 6-foot-7, 285-pound four-star recruit told Pittsburgh Sports Now that head coach Pat Narduzzi reached out to make sure he knew he was a “top priority guy for the 2027 class and how I need to get back on campus ASAP.”
Photo courtesy of Jimmy Kalis’ Twitter account.
Pitt has a a very tough road ahead with Kalis as Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma and other elite programs are pushing for him. With the close proximity, Kalis has visited Pitt a handful of times, including a gameday visit in the fall and a return trip in the spring.
Penn Hills prospect Carter Bonner is another one that expressed that Pitt is viewing him as a priority.
“Coach Narduzzi let me know I’m a priority for them in the 2027 class. He talked about how much they’ve enjoyed building a relationship with me over the years and how strong their football program is in the city of Pittsburgh,” he said.
Pitt is recruiting Bonner as a wide receiver. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound four-star recruit is also hearing the most from Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, Kentucky, Tennessee and a few more.
Despite being committed to Penn State, Pitt is also still pursuing Khalil Taylor. The talented wide receiver has been committed to the Nittany Lions since March, but Narduzzi and co. are making it known that he is still a priority and they want to keep him home. On3 ranks Taylor as the No. 18 player nationally and third-best wide receiver in the cycle.
Other key recruits that Pitt has reached out to includes Zachary Gleason Jr. who Narduzzi contacted. The defensive back prospect is hearing from Rutgers, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech and Penn State as well.
Wide receiver Javien Robinson has been in contact with area recruiter Cory Sanders. Robinson — a 6-2, 188-pound four-star ranked as the No. 15 receiver in the class — picked up his Pitt offer back in May and is starting to gain national interest. He holds other offers from Rutgers, Syracuse, Duquesne, Akron and Sacramento State.
Gabriel Jenkins is another intriguing four-star recruit out of Imani Christian Academy. He has heard from Pitt as well. The 10th-ranked cornerback in the class has offers from Pitt, Penn State, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, West Virginia, Kentucky and others.
As always, Pitt continues to hit Central Catholic hard. Along with Kalis, offensive lineman James Halter and Jon Sassic are key 2027 recruits that Pitt has their eye on. Sassic just picked up an offer after a Pitt camp. Additionally, Pitt is also talking with linebacker Roman Thompson, who holds offers from Akron, Toledo, Miami (OH) and others.
While no longer in the WPIAL, the Panthers are also working on Pittsburgh natives Jance Henry Jr. (Hoban High School in Ohio) and Sa’Nir Brooks (St. Frances Academy in Maryland). Both running back recruits hold offers from Pitt. Nelson Coleman, who just transferred from Seton LaSalle to Rabun Gap, Ga. is hearing from Pitt as well. His lone Power Four offer comes from West Virginia.
