Pat Narduzzi is aware of the discourse surrounding Pitt’s latest class of transfers.
After losing key players such as linebacker Rasheem Biles, receiver Kenny Johnson, defensive lineman Francis Brewu, kicker Trey Butkowski and others, the Panthers brought in 16 new players from the portal.
But once the dust settled, assessments from major recruiting services were unflattering, as 247Sports ranked Pitt’s class 74th nationally, while On3 placed it 65th.
“(The media) is saying bad things,” Narduzzi said Wednesday, following Pitt’s second practice of spring ball. “I don’t know where we ranked in the portal classes, all that bologna — I don’t care. I don’t care what the rankings are in high school or college, transfer-portal wise. I think we’ve got a hell of a class. We’ll find out at the end of the year. That’s when you really can evaluate.”
Pitt’s transfer class, featuring seven offensive players, six on defense and three specialists, also ranked second-to-last in the ACC by 247Sports and dead last via On3.
Including long snapper Justin Schmidt, only five of those 16 players came via Power 4 institutions. Two (offensive lineman Netinho Olivieri and cornerback Kanye Thompson) join Pitt from the FCS.
Regardless of outside perceptions, Narduzzi is betting that his staff-wide evaluations were sound in bringing in a viable group of contributors who can help replace the lost production across multiple positions from a season ago.
“The most important thing about the transfer portal class is evaluation,” Narduzzi said.
Acquiring FCS talent is a gamble on the part of any program, given the discrepancies in speed, strength, size and overall talent as compared to leagues like the ACC.
But Narduzzi has hit some home runs in recent years recruiting from that level.
Tailback Desmond Reid, a 2024 All-American for Pitt who transferred from Western Carolina, is a prime example. Last season, another former Catamount, Poppi Williams, was Pitt’s leading receiver.
Safety Kavir Bains-Marquez also was a pleasant surprise, joining the Panthers from UC Davis for the 2025 season.
He played in all 13 games at safety, paced the team in interceptions and recorded 58 tackles, fourth-most on the team.
Conversely, defensive back Rashan Murray, who transferred from Cal (Pa.), appeared in only three games last season, while Western Carolina tailback Jaylnn Williams only took a handoff in five games, as both players made negligible impacts.
“We had Rashan Murray and were probably a little bit disappointed with what we got out of him last year, but he’s back, as well,” Narduzzi said. “But you’re looking for toughness, I don’t care what level it is.”
Heading into this season, Olivieri (Penn) and Thompson (Slippery Rock) are the two FCS transfers Pitt decided to bring in.
Olivieri, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound specimen who played primarily left tackle for the Quakers, displayed a steadiness in the trenches that caught Narduzzi’s eye.
Now the two-time first-team All-Ivy League selection (2024-25) enters the competition underway on Pitt’s offensive line.
“Netinho, what we saw out of him, is consistency,” Narduzzi said. “I think all great players that go to the NFL who have sat in this room the last 11 years are guys who have been consistent. The one thing that stood out to me with all the tape I watched on Tino was, he was consistent. There was no erratic play where he played a really good game and played a really bad game.”
Thompson, a McKeesport native, brings a unique background to Pitt, having starred on the football field and in track for Slipper Rock.
While there, he was part of a record-setting 400-meter relay and ran the 100-meter dash in 10.13 seconds.
Having earned All-American honors in both sports at Slippery Rock, Thompson now finds himself in the mix at cornerback, with the Panthers having lost starters Rashad Battle and Tamon Lynum to graduation.
“Kanye is fast,” Narduzzi said. “We watched him run sprints all winter and you watch him on the field — he’s fast. Kanye’s a good football player. He’s athletic, he can run and he’s a good football player. He can tackle. He’s a fast guy that tackles — you don’t see too many of those.”
After Pitt opened spring practice Monday, Narduzzi told reporters he thought his team was better than a year ago.
Senior offensive lineman Ryan Baer, in line to be a starter for the fourth season, concurred.
“I just think the guys we brought in — I don’t see many misses, even with the mid-year freshmen,” Baer said. “I think a lot of the guys we brought in can contribute this year and play for us. I think we look good right now.”