As disaster in the Military Bowl turned to the offseason for Pitt, the transfer portal had been nothing but unkind to the Panthers.
Standouts such as linebacker Rasheem Biles, receiver Kenny Johnson and center Lyndon Cooper hit the portal, forcing coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff to brace as the defections mounted.
But Sunday afternoon, Pitt reeled in its first offseason catch during the official portal window (Jan. 2-16) in offensive lineman Netinho Olivieri from Penn, who announced a verbal commitment to the Panthers on social media platform X.
Excited to announce my commitment to the university of Pittsburgh! Can’t wait for this next chapter in my football career! pic.twitter.com/e98KL171k1
— Netinho Olivieri (@NetinhoOlivieri) January 4, 2026
Olivieri’s announcement was reposted by Pitt’s official handle, suggesting formal confirmation of the Panthers landing a left tackle who started the majority of three seasons for the Quakers.
In 2025, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Olivieri started all 10 games for Penn, earning FCS All-American honorable mention honors from the Associated Press.
Olivieri, a two-time first-team All-Ivy League selection, started 10 games for Penn in 2024 and eight the prior year.
In total, he appeared in 32 career games for the Quakers.
The Panthers primarily utilized two players, both transfers, at left tackle this past season: Jeff Persi (Michigan) and Kendall Stanley (UNC Charlotte).
Persi won’t return in 2026 after graduating, but Stanley has remaining eligibility.
While it’s far too early to begin speculating about Pitt’s 2026 fall camp roster, additional returning offensive linemen next season with starting experience currently include Ryan Baer, BJ Williams and Ryan Carretta.
