​Pitt’s recruiting momentum in Georgia continued with the commitment of Khamani Estrada to Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers. The 6-foot, 175-pound defensive back from Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake chose Pitt over Louisville, Purdue, North Carolina, and West Virginia, adding another athletic playmaker to a growing pipeline from one of the nation’s top recruiting states.
Estrada said relationships and long-term development were the deciding factors in his decision. “The best fit was the biggest thing for me,” he told Rivals. “I wanted to go somewhere I could see myself succeeding and playing early. The official visit proved to be the turning point. I knew when I left—the whole experience was great. Being around the city, seeing the Steelers facilities and getting a feel for everything showed me it was somewhere I could develop.”
Even before the visit, Pitt had a strong standing on Estrada’s list, and the trip solidified their position. “They had been recruiting me for a long time,” he said. “Coach Collins offered me back in May 2025, so we had already built a strong relationship. That relationship mattered. Coach Collins is definitely No. 1 for me. He’s been to my school multiple times, and we’ve built a great relationship. That’s my guy.”
Estrada believes Pitt’s defensive scheme suits his skill set well. “The loyalty from Coach Collins and just Coach Narduzzi’s defense really stood out,” he said. “I can see myself fitting into that system and developing there.” Pitt’s approach of focusing on high school recruiting rather than relying heavily on the transfer portal also resonated with him. “I liked getting in a room with a bunch of young guys and developing together. That’s important to me. Coach Collins is all over Georgia. He’s been doing it for a long time, and we’re trying to build something different in Pittsburgh.”