Defensive end Sam Williams, one of two Pitt recruits from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was the first to send in his letter of intent Wednesday morning. Pat Narduzzi acknowledged receipt at 7:05 a.m., and the process of restocking the roster began.
Pitt started the day with 17 verbal commits, but wide receiver Jordan Addison of Frederick, Md., said he plans to sign Thursday.
By mid-morning, the total number of actual signings reached 15.
Five prospects sent in their paperwork within 20 minutes of the start time, including four-star defensive back Jahvante Royal of Fort Lauderdale. The others were Michael Staham, an offensive lineman from Baltimore, linebacker Bengally Kamara of Akron and wide receiver Jaylon Barden of Macon, Ga.
Coach Pat Narduzzi celebrated Kamara’s signing by declaring via Twitter, “Bad day for QBs in the ACC.”
Running back Israel Abanikanada, the Gatorade player of the year in New York from Brooklyn, was next to make his commitment official, followed by Branson Taylor, an offensive lineman from Elyria, Ohio.
Abanikanda is the only running back in Pitt’s class, although Henry Parrish of Miami was committed until last week. Parrish, however, was not expected to sign Wednesday and likely will drag his recruitment into the second signing day in February.
Before the end of the first hour, Westinghouse defensive tackle Dayon Hayes, the only local player in Pitt’s class, became the eighth player to join the Panthers.
Pitt was up to 10 signed letters shortly after 8 a.m., when Solomon DeShields of Millville, N.J., and defensive back Hunter Sellers of College Park, Ga., made their commitments official. DeShields is classified as an athlete because he may be able to play multiple skill positions when he arrives on campus next year. He is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 20 overall prospect in the talent-rich state of New Jersey.
The 11th signed letter came from Aydin Henningham, a wide receiver from Deerfield Beach, Fla., who is believed to be capable of making an immediate impact on both sides of the ball. No. 12 was defensive end Emmanuel Belgrave of Miami.
Pitt locked up No. 13 and its second player from New York when linebacker A.J. Roberts of Staten Island sent in his paperwork.
Safety Buddy Mack, who was committed to Charlotte until Tuesday night, flipped to Pitt, sent his letter to Narduzzi at 9:30 a.m. and became the 14th signed prospect. Mack of Greer, S.C., is one of three defensive backs in Pitt’s class.
The final — and 15th — letter to arrive Wednesday morning came from tight end Daniel Moraga of Ventura (Calif.) Community College.
Get the latest news about Pitt football and all things Panthers athletics.
