Continuity won’t be in the cards at kicker for Pitt heading into 2026.
That’s a result of Trey Butkowski, a second-team All-ACC selection last year as a true freshman, transferring to Michigan.
However, Pitt made a move geared toward replacing Butkowski on Saturday, bringing in Northern Arizona kicker Samuel Hunsaker.
Hunsaker visited Pitt over the weekend and posted his commitment to the Panthers on social media platform X.
After a great OV and talks with @CoachDuzzPittFB i’m grateful to say i’ve committed to @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/OevKhafB3Z
— Samuel Hunsaker (@SamuelHunsaker_) January 11, 2026
Hunsaker, who will be a junior in 2026, played 12 games for the Lumberjacks of the Football Championship Subdivision last year, hitting 11 of 15 field goals.
His career-long field goal was from 50 yards, and Hunsaker also converted all 54 of his PAT attempts.
He was a semifinalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, given annually to the nation’s top kicker at the FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA levels.
Hunsaker played in six games at NAU as a freshman in 2024 and was 4 for 7 on field goal tries.
A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Hunsaker has also handled kickoff duties for the Lumberjacks the past two seasons.
Note: Pitt defensive lineman Isaiah Neal announced a return to the program for 2026 on Sunday. Neal appeared in all 13 games for the Panthers, rotating between defensive tackle and end, posting 36 tackles (7.5 for loss) with 3.5 sacks. He joins position mate Sean FitzSimmons in staying with the Panthers. Defensive tackles Jahsear Whittington and Francis Brewu, however, have entered the transfer portal.
