Pitt lands 4-star RB recruit Yasin Willis, top overall player in New Jersey

Pitt’s 2024 recruiting class received a huge boost Saturday night when four-star running back Yasin Willis, ranked No. 1 overall in New Jersey, announced his intention to enroll next year.

He chose Pitt from among 22 scholarship offers from some of the top programs in the nation, including Alabama, Michigan and Penn State.

Willis is Pitt’s fourth four-star commitment, according to the Rivals.com rankings. He joins Aliquippa linebacker Cameron Lindsey, wide receiver Ric’Darious Farmer of Melbourne, Fla., and Philadelphia defensive tackle Jahsear Whittington.

Pitt lands another star from New Jersey!

Yasin Willis, the state's No. 1 ranked running back, just announced on social media he's committed to play for the Panthers.

Willis has logged back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and is primed for a huge senior year.

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— Jersey Sports Zone (@JSZ_Sports) July 30, 2023

Coach Pat Narduzzi’s 21-man class appears to be his best in many years. Pitt hasn’t had as many as four four stars in its class since 2016, two years before its first appearance in the ACC Championship game. Narduzzi secured commitments from five that year.

Willis, who is ranked 187th in the nation among all positions and the 16th running back, was among the most coveted recruits on the east coast.

At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Willis ran for 1,133 yards and 17 touchdowns last season at St. Joseph’s High School in Montvale, N.J. He is the 21st member of the class of 2024 to commit to Pitt, and the second running back. York’s Juelz Goff verbally committed in January.

Pitt’s class is ranked 26th in the nation, sixth in the ACC, by Rivals.com.