This has been posted in various threads, but just to get everybody on the same page. Pitt is expected to host two transfer candidates today:
Western Carolina QB Cole Gonzalez
Mercer DE Brayden Manley
The priority is still on offensive linemen, but in the meantime, these are two interesting positions to target.
Gonzales obviously has the connection to Kade Bell. While playing for Bell at WCU in 2022 and 2023, Gonzales appeared in 19 games and completed 65% of his passes for 4,139 yards, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. This season with Bell gone, Gonzales only played eight games but threw for 2,543 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He went into the portal after the season and stands as an intriguing target.
From Pitt's perspective, a capable backup quarterback could be very valuable. Eli Holstein is the returning starter, and he'll be the starting quarterback this season. But Holstein also missed two full games and parts of three others due to injury; that doesn't guarantee that he'll miss time in the future, but it's a possibility Pitt should be prepared for. After Nate Yarnell and Ty Dieffenbach transferred, the Panthers were left with two scholarship quarterbacks on the returning roster and one incoming freshman. The ideal scenario would have been to bring Yarnell back, but with that off the table, Gonzales is a pretty good option, given his knowledge of the offense.
From Gonzales' perspective, though, I don't quite get it. Like I said, Pitt has a starting quarterback, and Gonzales would have to know that going into the visit. Additionally, I don't see Pitt using a lot of the NIL budget on a backup quarterback. So I would have to think Gonzales could find better options if he's looking for 1. A starting job, and/or 2. A decent NIL amount. But he's visiting, so there's something to monitor, and like I said, he would be a pretty great option as the backup QB.
Manley went into the transfer portal on Monday and almost immediately got offers from Pitt, Arizona, Toledo, Memphis, Virginia, Western Michigan, Charlotte, UAB and Eastern Carolina on his first day in the portal. Indiana and North Carolina have also joined the mix in the last day.
Manley had a breakout this season, recording 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He's 6'2" and 245, so he's not a big pass-rusher, but he's productive and obviously has drawn a lot of interest. I think Pitt would love to add a defensive end to go with Jimmy Scott and Sincere Edwards (I suppose Chief Borders would fill out that rotation). Manley is also a sophomore, so he's got two years of eligibility remaining, which is another positive.
Western Carolina QB Cole Gonzalez
Mercer DE Brayden Manley
The priority is still on offensive linemen, but in the meantime, these are two interesting positions to target.
Gonzales obviously has the connection to Kade Bell. While playing for Bell at WCU in 2022 and 2023, Gonzales appeared in 19 games and completed 65% of his passes for 4,139 yards, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. This season with Bell gone, Gonzales only played eight games but threw for 2,543 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He went into the portal after the season and stands as an intriguing target.
From Pitt's perspective, a capable backup quarterback could be very valuable. Eli Holstein is the returning starter, and he'll be the starting quarterback this season. But Holstein also missed two full games and parts of three others due to injury; that doesn't guarantee that he'll miss time in the future, but it's a possibility Pitt should be prepared for. After Nate Yarnell and Ty Dieffenbach transferred, the Panthers were left with two scholarship quarterbacks on the returning roster and one incoming freshman. The ideal scenario would have been to bring Yarnell back, but with that off the table, Gonzales is a pretty good option, given his knowledge of the offense.
From Gonzales' perspective, though, I don't quite get it. Like I said, Pitt has a starting quarterback, and Gonzales would have to know that going into the visit. Additionally, I don't see Pitt using a lot of the NIL budget on a backup quarterback. So I would have to think Gonzales could find better options if he's looking for 1. A starting job, and/or 2. A decent NIL amount. But he's visiting, so there's something to monitor, and like I said, he would be a pretty great option as the backup QB.
Manley went into the transfer portal on Monday and almost immediately got offers from Pitt, Arizona, Toledo, Memphis, Virginia, Western Michigan, Charlotte, UAB and Eastern Carolina on his first day in the portal. Indiana and North Carolina have also joined the mix in the last day.
Manley had a breakout this season, recording 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He's 6'2" and 245, so he's not a big pass-rusher, but he's productive and obviously has drawn a lot of interest. I think Pitt would love to add a defensive end to go with Jimmy Scott and Sincere Edwards (I suppose Chief Borders would fill out that rotation). Manley is also a sophomore, so he's got two years of eligibility remaining, which is another positive.
