Pittsburgh trending for coveted Motor City prospect

Pat Narduzzi and Pittsburgh missed out on top in-state prospect Matt Zollers at the beginning of the month and are still looking to land a blue-chip commitment in the 2025 cycle.

That could soon change, as the Panthers are now trending for one of the top recruits in Michigan, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Detroit Belleville four-star athlete Elijah Dotson announced his top eight schools last month. Since then, Michigan recruiting insider Zach Libby and Michigan State recruiting insider Kenny Jordan have each logged picks in favor of Pitt landing the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder.

The Panthers were the first to offer Dotson. He’s made his way to the Keystone State for multiple visits, including a spring trip last month. The track star, who can shine at wide receiver or in the secondary, has felt the love from the get-go with the ACC school.

“I’ve been building a relationship with (Pitt) my whole recruitment, my whole recruiting process they’ve been consistent with me, they talk to me all the time, call, texting,” Dotson said in a recent interview with The D Zone. “I’ve been up there a few times. Good relationship with the coaches, Coach Narduzzi, Coach Collins, so that’s a good option for me, too. Not too far from home.”

Tennessee, Purdue, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan State and Penn State join Pitt in Dotson’s top eight. He’s also logged a slew to Ann Arbor and Happy Valley throughout his recruitment.

Dotson is the No. 331 overall prospect and No. 14 ATH in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 4 player in Michigan.

More on Pitt recruiting

The Panthers currently posses just three commitments in the 2025 cycle, as of April 25. Coming off the No. 45 class in the nation — per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings — last cycle, Narduzzi and Co. are in need of a spark on the trail this time around.

Chesterfield (Va.) Matoaca three-star wide receiver Bryce Yates committed over the weekend and is the highest-ranked pledge in the fold thus far, checking in at No. 676 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star EDGE Trevor Sommers kicked things off by committing in February and was followed by Oregon (Ohio) Clay three-star quarterback Mason Heintschel last month.

The class currently ranks No. 58 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. It also checks in at No. 16 in the ACC out of 17 teams, currently besting just Boston College.