Pitt Makes Top 8 for Four-Star WPIAL DB
The Pitt football staff continues to push for one of the top defensive backs in the WPIAL in Imani Christian four-star Gabe Jenkins.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi and defensive coordinator Cory Sanders visited Jenkins last week in school, and on Tuesday, Jenkins put the Panthers in his final eight schools.
Jenkins announced on social media that he is down to Pitt, Penn State, Michigan, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
Pitt missed out on the No. 28 safety in the 2027 class the first time around when he committed to Penn State. Jenkins then decommitted once James Franklin was fired, but the Nittany Lions still remain a top option for Jenkins under new head coach Matt Campbell. The Pittsburgh area prospect was in State College last weekend for a junior day visit and locked in an official visit for June 5-7.
Virginia Tech, the new home of Franklin, offered Jenkins on Monday, while Michigan dropped off an offer three days ago.
Pitt was the first school to offer the 6-1, 190-pound Jenkins back in October of 2023, and Sanders has continued to show interest three years later. Jenkins visited Pitt during spring ball last year and for a junior day visit. He has also made a handful of gameday visits over the years.
The Panthers will look to get Jenkins back on campus during the spring and a possible official visit, but will be dealing with some stiff competition.
Jenkins was a dynamic two-way player in 2025 as Imani made it to the WPIAL Class 3A championship. He served as the Saints’ quarterback where he tossed for 1,763 yards and 29 touchdowns, while running for 1,411 yards and 15 scores.
Wathch the Hudl highlights of Jenkins here.
