The Pitt football team is no stranger to transfer players in the new era of college sports. With transfer players making a large percentage of their contributions, Pitt has embraced the transfer era. Here is the current list of Pitt’s additions and who they’ve lost ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Transfers In
Redshirt junior offensive tackle Netinho Olivieri — Penn
Olivieri transferred in on Jan. 4, becoming the first transfer of the 2026 class. Olivieri was a 2025 First Team All-Ivy League honoree at left tackle, starting all 10 games for Penn.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Malik Knight — Western Carolina
Knight was the top receiving option at Western Carolina, hauling in 47 catches, 774 yards and seven touchdowns this season at the FCS level. Knight was the second commitment of the 2026 class, joining the team on Jan. 7.
Redshirt junior offensive guard Keylen Davis — Akron
Davis was a Third Team All-MAC honoree at right guard and has started in 22-of-31 appearances in college. Davis signed with Pitt on Jan. 7.
Redshirt junior cornerback Kanye Thompson, R-Jr. — Slippery Rock (DII)
On Jan. 8, McKeesport High School alum Thompson committed to Pitt following a season that saw him earn All-PSAC honors, notching 60 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, three sacks, 10 passes defended and four forced fumbles. Thompson is a multi-sport athlete and ran a 10.13-second 100-meter dash, the fastest in PSAC history. He is expected to start.
Junior cornerback CB Raion Strader — Auburn
Strader is a transfer from SEC stalwart Auburn, where he made the move on Jan. 8, where he played one season, playing in all of Auburn’s games and logging no starts. In 2023 and 2024, the WPIAL alum played in 25 games, starting 22. Strader earned the 2024 MAC Cornerback of the Year and finished the 2025 season tied for third-most career pass breakups.
Redshirt first-year long snapper Justin Schmidt — Purdue
The Purdue transfer hails from WPIAL powerhouse Thomas Jefferson, and fills a need with the transfers of Crawford and Searcy and the graduation of Nilay Upadhyayula. He is set to start.
Redshirt junior tight end Carson Kent — Oklahoma
Kent is a 4-year college player, beginning his collegiate career at Kennesaw State for three seasons, including their final two FCS seasons and their first at the FBS level. At Oklahoma, Kent had three catches for 23 yards and is likely to see an elevated role in Pittsburgh.
Redshirt sophomore punter Gabe Russo — Idaho State
Russo is a transfer from FCS Idaho State who averaged 46.3 yards per punt and will likely take the starting role following the departure of Caleb Junko.
Redshirt senior running back La’Vell Wright — Western Kentucky
Wright rushed for 10 touchdowns for Western Kentucky this season, an offense mostly predicated on the pass game. With 6 running back departures, Wright is expected to receive a large platoon role. Wright also had stops at Kentucky and Austin Peay
Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Jeremiah Warren — Illinois
Warren is a rotational defensive tackle with Big Ten experience and has 13 tackles across 26 games played in three seasons at Illinois.
Junior tight end Elijah Lagg — UAB
Lagg joins Pitt after two seasons at junior college and his third season at UAB. He will likely split touches with Kent at the tight end position.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker DeMarco Ward — Memphis
Ward will aid a linebacker room reeling from the loss of Rasheem Biles to Texas, but will have to compete with young talent to crack into the rotation.
Sophomore kicker Samuel Hunsaker — Northern Arizona
After the surprise transfer by Butkowski, Hunsaker joins the team from the FCS level and will likely take the starting role due to Carpenter’s transfer. Hunsaker is 15-of-22 on field goals and 63-of-64 on extra points.
Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Eliyt Nairne — Tulane
Nairne transfers to Pitt following a season at Tulane as a rotational piece. He was a starter at Liberty in 2024 and will factor into a big defensive line grouping.
Junior linebacker Alex Sanford Jr. — Purdue
Sanford is a fourth-year player with experience at both Arkansas and Purdue, where he has seen time as mostly a rotational linebacker and special teamer. He could fill a similar role as Gracio did before his departure.
Transfers Out
Senior quarterback Cole Gonzales — Charlotte
2025 season: 3 GP, 0 GS, 11 Cmp, 22 Att, 118 yd, 1TD, 1 Int
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Eli Holstein — Virginia
2025 season: 8 GP, 4 GS, 77 Cmp, 125 Att, 1081 yd, 12 TD, 6 Int
Holstein began the season as the starting quarterback then was benched in favor of true first-year quarterback Mason Heintschel after four games.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback David Lynch — Holy Cross
2025 season: 0 appearances
2024 season: 3 GP 1 GS, 16 Cmp, 27 Att, 111 yd, 0 TD, 3 Int
Redshirt senior running back Derrick Davis Jr.
2025 season: 0 appearances, out with injury
2024 season: 27 att, 70 yd, 2 TD
Redshirt first-year running back Juelz Goff — Boise State
2025 season:12 GP, 69 att, 270 yd, 5 TD
Redshirt sophomore running back Caleb Williams
2025 season: 6 GP, 7 att, 10 yd
Junior wide receiver Kenny Johnson — Texas Tech
2023 to 2025: 38 GP, 109 rec, 1354 yd, 9 TD
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Zion Fowler-El
2025 season: 8 GP, 7 rec, 80 yd
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Jesse Anderson — Kentucky
2025 season: 10 GP on special teams, 2 tackles
Sophomore tight end Malachi Thomas — LSU
2025 season: 13 GP, 13 rec, 192 yd
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Tai Ray — Western Kentucky
2025 season: 13 GP
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Lyndon Cooper — Vanderbilt
2025 season: 13 GP, starting center, 2,118 career snaps
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Jackson Brown — UNLV
2025 season: 10 GP
Redshirt first-year offensive lineman Caleb Holmes
2025 season: 0 GP
Sophomore defensive tackle Francis Brewu — Notre Dame
2025 season: 36 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 sacks
Redshirt first-year defensive tackle Jahsear Whittington — Nebraska
2025 season: 10 GP, 12 tackles, 1 sack
Redshirt sophomore defensive end Maverick Gracio — Ball State
2024 season: blocked punt against West Virginia
2025 season: 7 GP, 4 tackles, 1 sack
Junior linebacker Rasheem Biles — Texas
2025 season: Second Team All-ACC, 101 tackles, 17 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 2 Int
Redshirt first-year cornerback Davion Pritchard — Kent State
2025 season: 2 GP, 1 tackle
Redshirt junior cornerback Matthew Amofa
2025 season: 0 GP
Redshirt senior safety Marcus Serrano
2025 season: 0 GP
Redshirt sophomore kicker Sam Carpenter
2025 season: 9 GP, 6/6 XP, 1/3 FG
First-year kicker Trey Butkowski — Michigan
2025 season: 11 GP, 43/44 XP, 20/23 FG
Redshirt junior long snapper Nico Crawford — Michigan
2025 season: 13 GP
First-year long snapper Henry Searcy — Charlotte
2025 season: 0 GP
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