Steel Valley Safety Da’Ron Barksdale Commits to Pitt

The pipeline developed between Pitt and Steel Valley High School continues to get stronger.

If the latest commitment comes close to the last two commitments, Pitt is getting a really good player.

Pitt received a commitment from Steel Valley 2026 3-star safety Da’Ron Barksdale, he announced Monday. He becomes the fourth WPIAL player in Pitt’s Class of 2026 (Peters Township 4-star DE Reston Lehman, North Allegheny defensive tackle Lincoln Hoke and Pine-Richland OL John Curran III).

Pitt football recruiting coverage sponsored by

RM LAW, P.C. is a boutique litigation law firm with a national practice dedicated to protecting shareholders’ interests and promoting improved corporate governance practices.

Thanks to the entire staff for treating my like family and allowing me to be family at all times. Thank you Coach 🐆@CoachDuzzPittFB @coachcsanders @Ballhawk__8@ARCHIECOLLINS_ @BatesBacker @210ths @Evolve7v7 @sharkomartin @DulinOlando@BrianDohn247 @RivalsFriedman@On3Recruits pic.twitter.com/5CNJccVevy

— Da’Ron“Daedae”Barksdale⚡️3⭐️DB (@DaronBarksdale) June 23, 2025

Prior to today’s announcement, the Panthers previously received commitments from former Steel Valley star safeties Paris Ford and Cruce Brookins, who is a former teammate of Barksdale.

Rivals.com currently ranks Barksdale as the No. 12 prospect in Pennsylvania with a 5.7 rating.

Cory Sanders, Archie Collins and the Pitt staff’s interest in Barksdale dates back to May of 2023, when Pitt first extended him an offer. He has been a frequent visitor down on the South Side and at Acrisure Stadium in the fall.

Pitt commit Da’Ron Barksdale

Barksdale has seen his recruitment have its ups and downs due to a knee injury (torn MCL) he suffered two years ago. At that time, the playmaking safety was a 4-star recruit, but that injury slowed programs interest in him.

He returned to the field last season and returned to his old form, collecting over 1,100 yards rushing, while registering 48 tackles, eight tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and one interception at safety.

Despite his return to the field and with no change in his production, Power 4 teams have been slow to recruit him like they were prior to the injury. He held additional offers from West Virginia, Syracuse, James Madison, UConn, Temple, UMass, Bowling Green, Akron, Kent State, UNLV, Robert Morris, Duquesne, Sacramento State and Morgan State.

In an interview with PSN this spring, Barksdale addressed that issue.

“I can say it slowed it down (recruitment),” Barksdale told PSN. “In my opinion, I was going to be a top five safety or athlete in my class if I didn’t get hurt. I’ve kept my head down. I got my Bible right here. This is all I need.”

“At the moment, I don’t really think of it as derailing, but I think it’s a blessing. Everything happens for a reason. I learned more, I’m quicker and I’m smarter.”

Barksdale becomes the 20th commitment in Pitt’s Class of 2026 and the second safety (3-star safety Issac Patterson).