Pitt Adds Three Transfers to 2025 Roster
5/14/2025 8:58:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH— Pitt Football continues to bolster its roster with the addition of three transfer student-athletes, head coach Pat Narduzzi announced today. The program has signed senior QB Cole Gonzales, senior TE Justin Holmesand redshirt freshman DB Zion Ferguson.
Gonzales (Gainesville, Fla.) arrives at Pitt following a spring stint at Oklahoma. He previously starred at Western Carolina (2022-24), where he compiled 6,682 passing yards and 51 touchdowns over three seasons, earning Southern Conference Player of the Year honors in 2023. A two-time first-team all-conference performer and two-time Walter Payton Award finalist, Gonzales threw for a SoCon-record 620 yards against Furman last fall. He completed 61.7% of his passes for 2,543 yards and 12 touchdowns across eight games in 2024 before missing the final four contests due to injury.
Holmes (Kutztown, Pa.) joins the Panthers after competing at Marshall in 2024, where he played in 13 games and contributed primarily as a run-blocking tight end. He previously spent two seasons at Kent State (2022-23), totaling 20 receptions for 188 yards. In all, Holmes brings 34 games of college experience and positional versatility to the Pitt offense.
Ferguson (Atlanta, Ga.) comes to Pitt from North Carolina, where he redshirted in 2024. A consensus four-star recruit out of Gainesville High School, Ferguson was rated the No. 19 cornerback nationally by Rivals. He amassed 75 tackles, eight interceptions, and six pass breakups across his final two prep seasons, earning all-state honors from the Georgia Coaches. Ferguson helped lead Gainesville to back-to-back region titles and deep state playoff runs, including a trip to the state championship game as a junior.
The Panthers will host seven games this fall, including four ACC contests and last year's College Football Playoff (CFP) runner-up, Notre Dame, on Nov. 15.
Pitt football season tickets start as low as $230 for seven games in 2025. For more information, go to PittsburghPanthers.com, call (800) 643-7488 or email tickets@athletics.pitt.edu.
