Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers coaching staff had plenty to celebrate on the Fourth of July, as it got word that Pitt was in good standing with Gi’Bran Payne, a standout running back out of La Salle High School in Cincinnati, and the program had made the recruit's top 10.
The top 10 was rounded out by Alabama, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Notably, no schools from Payne’s home state made the cut, despite offers from Akron and hometown school Cincinnati.
In total, Payne drew 21 offers but is no longer prioritizing Akron, Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue or Western Michigan.