Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Loses Out on Important 2026 Defensive Back Target
An important defensive back target for Pitt in the 2026 recruiting class announced his commitment Sunday afternoon to an SEC program.
Isaiah McMillian — a 6-foot-1, 171-pound defensive back out of Katy High School in Texas — visited Pitt for an official visit during the second weekend of June and heading into the visit, Pitt was in strong position to land the three-star talent.
However, he had several more stops on his official visit tour and in the end, it was Kentucky that came away with a commitment from McMillian. He took an official visit at Kentucky in early June.
100% committed! AGTG❗️❗️@CoachWhiteFB @CoachC_Collins @UKFootball @RecruitKatyFB @Katyfootball pic.twitter.com/HqnZeRkfX9
— Isaiah Mcmillian (@26isaiahmcm) June 22, 2025
McMillian selects Kentucky over other official visits with Pitt, Iowa, Houston and Arizona. He also held offers from TCU, Baylor, Mississippi State, Utah, Syracuse, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Arkansas, SMU and more.
The Pitt staff had been working on McMillian since the new year and looked to be the frontrunner for his commitment, so it comes as a tough recruiting loss for the Panthers, especially considering where their defensive back room stands.
As of now, Pitt only has two defensive backs committed in the 2026 class with safety Isaac Patterson and cornerback Kentrail Mcrae Jr. Landing McMillian would have been a nice addition to the cornerback room that looks to still bring in more recruits.
Defensive coordinator Randy Bates was in to visit the Texas prospect at his home back in January not long after the program extended an offer. McMillian then made the trip to Pittsburgh for a spring visit on April 8.
During his junior season at Katy, McMillian recorded 41 solo tackle, nine for a loss, 18 pass breakups and four interceptions. The First-Team All-District defensive back also runs a 4.40 40-yard dash.
247Sports rates McMillian as a three-star prospect, the No. 76 cornerback in the class and 131st prospect in Texas.
