University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Narduzzi Announces Enrollment of 16 Transfers
1/20/2026 3:29:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—With the University of Pittsburgh's 2026 spring academic term underway and the transfer portal closed, Pitt Football and Head Coach Pat Narduzzi announced the enrollment of 16 transfer student-athletes who have joined the Panthers.
The transfer class adds experience and depth across multiple position groups, including two tight ends, two offensive linemen, one running back, one wide receiver, one quarterback, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs, and three specialists.
The transfer class is as follows:
Offense
- Netinho Olivieri, OL, 6-4, 305, Newton, Mass./Penn
- Carson Kent, TE, 6-4, 245, Milton, Ga./Oklahoma
- Malik Knight, WR, 6-0, 180, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Western Carolina
- Keylen Davis, OL, 6-2, 315, Indianapolis, Ind./Akron
- Elijah Lagg, TE, 6-2, 245, Mountain Home, Ark./UAB
- La'Vell Wright, RB, 5-11, 215, Louisville, Ky./Western Kentucky
- Holden Geriner, QB, 6-3, 225, Savannah, Ga./Texas State
Defense
- Kanye Thompson, DB, 5-9, 160, McKeesport, Pa./Slippery Rock
- Raion Strader, DB, 6-0, 180, Pittsburgh, Pa./Auburn
- Jeremiah Warren, DL, 6-2, 315, Belleville, Mich./Illinois
- DeMarco Ward, LB, 6-1, 215, Duluth, Ga./Memphis
- Eliyt Nairne, DL, 6-0, 290, Charlotte, N.C./Tulane
- Alex Sanford Jr., LB, 6-0, 225, Oxford, Miss./Purdue
Special Teams
- Gabe Russo, P, 6-0, 240, Montgomery, Ala./Idaho State
- Justin Schmidt, LS, 6-0, 240, Pittsburgh, Pa./Purdue
- Sam Hunsaker, K, 5-9, 150, Gilbert, Ariz./Northern Arizona
The transfers will join Pitt's returning roster, and freshmen newcomers, as they continue their academic progress and take part in offseason conditioning and spring practice.
