University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Wide Receivers
- Season at Pitt:
- Third
JJ Laster, whose pass catchers have helped fuel some of college football’s most prolific offenses, enters his third season as wide receivers coach at Pitt.
In 2025, Laster oversaw a productive and explosive receivers room, helping Pitt total 3,553 passing yards (273.3 per game) and 29 touchdowns en route to an 8-5 overall record (6-2 ACC). The receiving corps played a key role in the emergence of true freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel, who quickly developed into one of the nation’s top young signal-callers. A Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award semifinalist, Heintschel started nine games and completed 201 of 316 passes for 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning ACC Quarterback of the Week honors and two ACC Rookie of the Week selections. He eclipsed 300 passing yards four times, including a 400-yard performance against NC State, reflecting the wide receivers unit’s consistency, playmaking ability and impact.
In 2024, Laster helped WR Konata Mumpfield earn Honorable Mention All-ACC after compiling 52 receptions for 813 yards (15.6 avg.) and five touchdowns. Mumpfield also earned himself a trip to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the 2025 NFL Combine under Laster’s guidance. Mumpfield went on to be selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Laster joined the Pitt coaching staff from Old Dominion and spent three full seasons (2021-23) as wide receivers coach at Western Carolina, where he worked with new Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell.
In 2023, the Catamounts led the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in total offense with an average of 504.1 yards per game. Additionally, WCU ranked third in passing offense (321.1 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (37.5 points per game).
Under Laster’s tutelage at WCU, David White Jr. developed into a viable 2024 NFL Draft prospect and made strong impressions at the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl and Hula Bowl all-star games. Moreover, Censere Lee was an All-Southern Conference performer, compiling 82 receptions for 1,426 yards (17.4 avg.) and 14 touchdowns over two seasons.
Prior to WCU, Laster served as running backs and tight ends coach at Gardner-Webb in 2019. He coached three All-Big South Conference players: running back Jaylin Cagle, who rushed for 930 yards and eight touchdowns; all-purpose dynamo Devron Harper, an FCS Freshman All-American who compiled 1,600 all-purpose yards; and tight end AJ Alexander, who was a major strength in the run and pass games for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
From 2016-18, Laster coached at Tusculum University. He initially oversaw the Pioneers’ running backs for one season before shifting to wide receivers for his final two years. Laster also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
Laster himself was an outstanding collegiate running back and return specialist at Jacksonville University (2008-11). He twice earned All-Pioneer Football League (PFL) honors, while compiling more than 2,400 scrimmage yards and scoring 21 touchdowns for his career.
In 2010, Laster paced the entire FCS with an average of 8.5 yards per rush, netting 810 yards on just 95 carries. He was part of two PFL championships (2008 and 2010) during his Jacksonville playing career.
Laster’s coaching path began at Florida’s Allen D. Nease High School, where he worked with the running backs (2012-13). He returned to Jacksonville University for the 2014-15 seasons as a defensive graduate assistant with a positional focus on the linebackers.
Laster earned two degrees from Jacksonville: a bachelor’s in geography (2012) and master’s in leadership and learning (2015).
He and his wife, Rodricka, have a son: Jesse James Laster III.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Hometown: Graceville, Fla.
Alma Mater: Jacksonville, 2012
Family: Laster and his wife, Rodricka, have a son: Jesse James Laster III.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
College
Pitt, 2024, wide receivers.
Western Carolina, 2021-23, wide receivers.
Gardner-Webb, 2019, running backs and tight ends.
Tusculum, 2016, running backs and recruiting coordinator; 2017-18, wide receivers and recruiting coordinator.
Jacksonville, 2014-15, defensive graduate assistant.
