Friday marks the final day that Division I football players may enter their names into the transfer portal.
With the portal window closing (there no longer is a spring period), rosters are being finalized as teams across the country welcome early enrollees, conduct winter workouts and look ahead to spring practices.
TribLive counted 22 players who departed the program following the 2025 campaign.
Those who left varied from scholarship players to walk-ons, playmakers to reservists and contributors in all three phases of the game.
Here’s a look at Pitt’s transfer portal losses:
Quarterback
A year ago, Eli Holstein was among the Panthers’ biggest targets for retention following an impressive (but injury-shortened) 2024 campaign, in which he guided the team to a 7-0 start.
But Holstein’s health deteriorated, as did that of Pitt’s offensive line, contributing to a deflating 0-6 finish and loss in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
Still, Holstein entered the offseason as Pitt’s presumed starter for 2025, should the Panthers fend off other programs looking to poach him.
Pat Narduzzi did just that and Holstein started the season under center. But four games in, with Pitt sitting at 2-2, partially due to Holstein’s struggles, Narduzzi benched him for true freshman Mason Heintschel.
From there, Holstein only made a handful of appearances in relief.
Following Pitt’s loss in the Military Bowl, he entered the transfer portal, ultimately committing to Virginia.
Position mates David Lynch, Pitt’s starter in the 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl, transferred to Holy Cross, and Cole Gonzales landed at Charlotte.
Linebacker
Rasheem Biles was arguably Pitt’s most disappointing loss in the transfer portal.
Following back-to-back All-ACC performances the last two seasons, as well as an explosive individual campaign in the Military Bowl, Biles entered the transfer portal as one of the most sought-after targets on the market.
He enjoyed a high-profile recruitment in early January and chose Texas.
Wide receiver
Receiver Kenny Johnson was perhaps the second-most stinging portal defection.
He was Pitt’s second-leading receiver in receptions, yards and touchdowns, trailing only Poppi Williams, who graduated.
Johnson played three years at Pitt but will suit up for Texas Tech in 2026.
Fellow wideout Zion Fowler-El was among the earliest Panthers to announce his entrance into the transfer portal (Dec. 16). As of Friday, he has not revealed his next playing destination.
Running backs
York native Juelz Goff began last season as Desmond Reid’s primary backup.
When Reid’s season began to be derailed by injury, Guelz was first in line to lead Pitt’s rushing attack. However, as the season went on, it was true freshman Ja’Kyrian Turner who stole the show.
Turner’s ascendance, coupled with four-star Damon Ferguson arriving for 2026, likely factored into Goff’s decision to transfer.
He now prepares for his third collegiate season and has committed to Boise State. Fellow tailbacks Derrick Davis and Caleb Williams also transferred but haven’t announced commitments as of Friday.
Defensive line
Defensively, Pitt lost two promising interior defensive linemen who would have significantly factored into the equation next year: Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington.
Brewu committed to Notre Dame, while Whittington continues his career at Nebraska. Maverick Gracio also departed, committing to Ball State.
Offensive line
A key starter on the offensive line the past two years has been Lyndon Cooper, who started at center after transferring from N.C. State.
Cooper didn’t walk during the Panthers’ Senior Day festivities Nov. 29, indicating he’d have extra eligibility to pursue, but it won’t be Pitt that benefits from another year of his services.
Instead, Cooper committed to Vanderbilt. Pitt also lost linemen Jackson Brown (UNLV) and Tai Ray (Western Kentucky). Caleb Holmes transferred but does not appear to have announced a new school.
Special teams
With Trey Butkowski, Pitt appeared to have found a steady kicker so soon after the Ben Sauls era ended.
Butkowski shined as a true freshman, hitting 20 of 23 field goals, but he entered the transfer portal and promptly chose Michigan.
Another Panthers kicker, Sam Carpenter, along with punter Cade Dowd, also transferred. Neither have made announcements as to where they plan to play in 2026.
Tight end
Malachi Thomas carved out a regular role for himself at tight end last fall, playing in all 13 games along with Justin Holmes and Jake Overman (both of whom graduated).
But after two seasons at Pitt, he too transferred, choosing LSU.
Defensive back
On top of losing starting cornerbacks Rashad Battle and Tamon Lynum, both of whom declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, the Panthers lost a pair of reserve defensive backs in Davion Pritchard and Jesse Anderson to the portal.
Pritchard, a member of the 2024 recruiting class, played one game in 2025 and landed at Kent State. Anderson endured a position switch at Pitt, moving from defensive back to receiver, and committed to Kentucky as a defensive back.