As the dust settles around the transfer portal window (Jan. 2-16), a stock can be taken of the players who departed Pitt’s program and those the Panthers acquired.
In total, TribLive counted 22 departures. As for additions, the tally stands at 15.
Thirteen players announced commitments to Pitt on social media over the last two weeks, and 247Sports reported two more incoming players (tailback La’Vell Wright and defensive lineman Jeremiah Warren).
Here’s a full breakdown of the newest Panthers via the transfer portal:
Offensive line
Pitt’s offensive line will have a different look to it in 2026.
Two-year starting center Lyndon Cooper transferred to Vanderbilt, whereas left tackle Jeff Persi graduated. Reserves Jackson Brown and Tai Ray also transferred.
But three-year starter BJ Williams is set to return, as are fellow starters from a year ago in Keith Gouveia, Ryan Baer, Ryan Carretta and Kendall Stanley.
To bolster depth up front, Pitt added two players: Keylen Davis (Akron) and Netinho Olivieri.
Olivieri was a two-time All-Ivy League selection at Penn and started 28 total games for the Quakers, primarily at left tackle. This past season, he was an FCS All-American.
Davis spent 2022-25 at Akron, where he was a third-team All-MAC selection last fall and a two-year starter.
Wide receiver
Pitt made just one addition at receiver through the portal in Western Carolina’s Malik Knight, adding another former Catamounts player (like Desmond Reid, Poppi Williams and CJ Lee) to the roster.
Knight totaled 72 receptions for 1,186 yards and eight scores over three seasons at WCU. He did the majority of his statistical damage in 2025, making 47 grabs for 774 yards and eight scores.
He now reunites with former Catamounts offensive coordinator Kade Bell, who continues to maintain a pipeline to Oakland from his former employer.
Losses for Pitt at wideout include Kenny Johnson (transfer portal, Texas Tech) and Williams (graduation).
Tight end
With Jake Overman and Justin Holmes having graduated and Malachi Thomas transferring to LSU, Pitt was in need of help at tight end.
It acquired that by bringing in Carson Kent from Oklahoma and Elijah Lagg from UAB.
Kent spent 2024 at Kennesaw State, where he had 18 catches for 217 yards and three scores. At Oklahoma, he didn’t match that production, recording only three catches for 26 yards as the Sooners relied heavily on All-SEC selection Jaren Kenak.
As for Lagg, he caught 20 passes last season with UAB for 164 yards.
Running back
Pitt has a young standout currently atop the tailbacks depth chart in soon-to-be sophomore Ja’Kyrian Turner, as well as four-star recruit Damon Ferguson joining the program.
But Reid declared for the NFL Draft and Juelz Goff transferred, creating a need for stronger depth.
So the Panthers went out and got experienced help in Western Kentucky’s La’Vell Wright, whom 247Sports reported as having joined Pitt on Jan. 10.
Wright will begin his sixth college campaign with the Panthers in 2026, having played three seasons at Kentucky (2021-22; he missed all of 2023 because of injury), one at Austin Peay State (2024) and last year with the Hilltoppers.
At WKU, he rushed for 471 yards on 85 carries, scoring 10 touchdowns. Wright ran for 643 yards and five scores the prior season for the Governors.
Defensive line
Pitt lost interior defensive linemen Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington to the portal but received commitments from Eliyt Nairne (Tulane) and Warren (Illinois).
Ahead of last season, Nairne transferred to Tulane following two seasons at Liberty and played in all 14 games for a Green Wave squad that advanced to the College Football Playoff.
In total, he made 28 tackles with three sacks during his Liberty career.
Warren played 24 games for Illinois over the past two seasons and, per 247Sports, committed to Pitt Jan. 10.
Linebacker
With a new coach (Joe Bowen) and minus Kyle Louis (NFL Draft) and Rasheem Biles (transferred to Texas), it’ll be a new-look linebackers room for Pitt.
Joining the program from the portal are Alex Sanford Jr. (Purdue) and DeMarco Ward (Memphis). Both have significant experience.
Sanford recorded 46 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, a fumble recovery and pass breakup in 12 games (nine starts) last year.
He began his college career at Arkansas, where he appeared in 23 games from 2023-24, almost exclusively on special teams.
Ward appeared in 12 games for Memphis in 2025, recording 63 tackles with a forced fumble and two interceptions.
Both of his interceptions on the year he returned for touchdowns.
Cornerback
Following the graduations of starters Tamon Lynum and Rashad Battle, Pitt brought in some cornerback help in the form of Slippery Rock’s Kanye Thompson and Auburn’s Raion Strader.
Both Thompson (McKeesport) and Strader (Penn Hills) are WPIAL alums.
Thompson, a star on the football field and track court for Slippery Rock with All-American honors in both sports during his time there, brings elite speed to Pitt’s secondary.
Strader played 12 games for the Tigers last season and was an All-MAC pick at Miami (Ohio) in 2024.
Special teams
Pitt needed to plug major holes at kicker, punter and long snapper.
Help in all three departments were ultimately acquired in kicker Samuel Hunsaker (Northern Arizona), punter Gabe Russo (Idaho State) and snapper Justin Schmidt (Purdue), who replace Trey Butkowski (transferred to Michigan), Caleb Junko and Nilay Upadhyayula (both of whom graduated).
Hunsaker hit 11 of 15 field goals at Northern Arizona last year and was a semifinalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, given annually to the nation’s top kicker at the FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA levels.
Russo punted 38 times in 2025, averaging 46.4 yards.
Schmidt is another local (Thomas Jefferson) player, who returns home following one season playing long snapper for the Boilermakers.
