PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University head football coach Tom Anthony has announced that 32 high school seniors have signed letters of intent to join the Gorillas for the 2026 football season. Additionally, seven transfers have joined the Pitt State football team at the start of the Spring 2026 semester.

Here's a complete breakdown of Pittsburg State's 2026 recruiting class:

 

Honors/Stats: A first-team All-Conference performer as a senior at Har-Ber High School in 2025…  a two-year starter for the Wildcats… also a stand-out prep track & field athlete… Personal: Born December 30, 2007… son of Miguel and Zsarrinia Varela… Anticipated Major: construction management.
 

Honors/Stats: An honorable mention Texas Class 5A All-State selection as a senior at Lufkin High School in 2025… posted 65 tackles with 18.0 tackles-for-loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks and two blocks… helped Abilene High School to a district title as a junior in 2024… Personal: Born July 30, 2008… son of Jared McPherson and Brittany Bogany… Anticipated Major: exercise science.
 

Honors/Stats: A two-time Arkansas Class 7A All-State selection at Bentonville High School (2024-25)… helped the Tigers to a 15-1 record and the Class 7A state runner-up finish this past fall… Personal: Born September 24, 2007… son of Pat and Shonda Brown… Anticipated Major: biology (pre-physical therapy).
 

Honors/Stats: A two-time Missouri Class 5A All-District performer at Lebanon High School (2024-25)… also a three-time All-Conference selection…  rushed for 1,111 yards in eight games played as a senior for the Yellowjackets…  averaged 6.1 yards per carry as a junior in 2024… Personal: Born May 9, 2007… son of Will and Jennifer Christian… Anticipated Major: education.
 

Honors/Stats: A Missouri Class 6A All-State selection as a senior at Liberty High School in 2025… also a three-time All-Conference and three-time All-District performer…  made 122 tackles as a senior, helping the BlueJays to a 10-2 record… posted 241 career prep tackles with 21.5 quarterback sacks… Personal: Born June 18, 2007… son of Curtis Coppinger and Corrie Messick… Anticipated Major: management.
 

Honors/Stats: A two-time Illinois Class 7A All-State selection at Bradley-Bourbonnais High School (2024-25)… made 79 receptions for 1,324 yards and 24 touchdowns… also rushed the ball 10 times for 206 yards and three scores… defensively, posted 62 tackles with eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups…  Personal: Born October 18, 2007… son of Paris Johnson and Tabitha Edmon… Anticipated Major: undecided.
 

Honors/Stats: A second-team Colorado Class 4A All-State selection as a senior at Palmer Ridge High School in 2025… made 74 tackles with 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 quarterback sacks and one interception… helped the Bears to a 13-1 record and the Class 4A state runner-up finish… also the SOCO League Defensive Player of the Year… Personal: Born May 18, 2007… son of Shane and Cassey Elliott… Anticipated Major: undecided.
 

Honors/Stats: A first-team Oklahoma Class 6A All-District selection as a senior at Tulsa Union High School in 2025… made 42 tackles, one interception and three pass breakups on the season for the Redhawks… posted 38 tackles, two interceptions and four PBUs as a junior in 2024… Personal: Born September 4, 2007… son of Shyla Jones… Anticipated Major: management.
 

Honors/Stats: A two-time first-team Missouri Class 6A All-District performer at Blue Springs South High School (2024-25)… a three-time All-Conference selection for the Jaguars… posted 134 career tackles with 26.0 tackles-for-loss and 13.0 quarterback sacks… Personal: Born October 18, 2007… son of Courtney Richberg… Anticipated Major: construction management.
 

Honors/Stats: A first-team Texas Class 5A All-District selection as a senior at Pflugerville Weiss High School in 2025… named the District Defensive Player of the Year… made 126 tackles with 5.0 tackles-for-loss, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and four fumble recoveries… posted 278 career tackles with 17.0 TFLs, 10 INTs, 27 PBUs, five forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries… Personal: Born August 23, 2007… son of Jorian and Karelin Guinn… Anticipated Major: graphic design.
 

Honors/Stats: Compiled 1,000 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Raytown High School in 2025… a three-time All-Conference prep wide receiver at Raytown (2025) and Ruskin High School (2023-24)… Personal: Born February 26, 2008… son of Roger Haney III and Janette Johnson… Anticipated Major: automotive technology.
 

Honors/Stats: A two-time first-team Texas TAPPS Division I All-State performer at Parish Episcopal High School (2024-25)… compiled 2,398 rushing yards over his final two prep seasons… helped the Panthers to three straight TAPPS Division I state championships… Personal: Born February 16, 2008… son of Steve and Marcie Hanish… Anticipated Major: marketing.
 

Honors/Stats: The Oklahoma Class 5A District I Most Valuable Player selection as a senior at Bishop McGuinness High School in 2025… a three-year starter for the Irish… helped Bishop McGuinness to a 12-2 record and the Class 5A state runner-up finish… Personal: Born June 12, 2007… son of David and Beth Harris… Anticipated Major: construction management.
 

Honors/Stats: A two-time Texas Class 6A All-District performer at Timber Creek High School (2024-25)… made 115 tackles and four pass breakups as a senior for the Falcons… posted 76 tackles with one interception and three fumble recoveries during his junior campaign… Personal: Born March 15, 2008… son of Gerald and Joanna Hicks… Anticipated Major: mechanical engineering.
 

Honors/Stats: A first-team Texas Class 5A All-State selection at linebacker as a senior at Lufkin High School in 2025… made 130 tackles with 11.0 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 quarterback sacks and six pass breakups during his senior campaign… a two-year starter for the Panthers… posted 39 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 2.0 QB Sacks and an interception as a junior in 2024… selected to compete in the 2025 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl… Personal: Born March 21, 2008… son of Desmen Sr. and Shae Hood… Anticipated Major: construction management.
 

Honors/Stats: A Missouri Class 6A All-District selection as a senior at Nixa High School in 2025… a two-time first-team All-Conference honoree… helped the Eagles to back-to-back 13-1 seasons and consecutive Class 6A state runner-up finishes… Personal: Born December 18, 2007… son of Tom Jensen and Courtney Booher… Anticipated Major: construction management.
 

Honors/Stats: A two-time first-team Texas Class 5A Division I All-District selection at Red Oak High School (2024-25)… compiled 1,700+ career rushing yards and 3,800+ passing yards and 53 combined touchdowns (rush/pass) for the Hawks… also a standout prep baseball player at Red Oak … Personal: Born November 26, 2007… son of Billy Jr. and Tanika Middleton… Anticipated Major: biology (pre-medicine).
 

Honors/Stats: A first-team Kansas Class 6A All-State selection as a senior at Gardner-Edgerton High School in 2025… the Class 6A Offensive Player of the Year selection by Sports in Kansas… also tabbed the Sunflower League Player of the Year… rushed for an amazing 2,882 yards and 43 touchdowns during his senior campaign for the Trailblazers, averaging 10.8 yards per carry and 240.2 yards per game… led the state of Kansas and ranked 17^th nationally in rushing yards… Personal: Born October 13, 2007… son of William and Soroya Padilla… Anticipated Major: undecided.
 

Honors/Stats: A standout prep performer at Pittsburg High School… a 2025 team captain, and a three-year starter, for the Purple Dragons, who compete as a Kansas Class 5A independent… posted 70 tackles with 15.0 tackles-for-loss and one interception as a senior… a 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection… an Honor Roll student and a member of the National Honor Society… Personal: Born February 18, 2008… son of Matthew and Christi Pinamonti… Anticipated Major: construction management.

 
Honors/Stats: A Missouri Class 5A All-State selection as a junior at Lebanon High School in 2025… a two-time All-Conference and two-time All-District honoree for the Yellowjackets… helped LHS to consecutive district runner-up finishes his final two prep seasons… Personal: Born January 31, 2008… son of Shane and Angie Rebmann… Anticipated Major: education.

 
Honors/Stats: A first-team Oklahoma Class 6A All-District selection as a senior Edmond North High School in 2025… also an All-Conference performer… a three-year starter for the Huskies… Personal: Born October 23, 2007… son of Chad and Courtney Roberts… Anticipated Major: education.

 
Honors/Stats: An Oklahoma Class 4A All-State selection as a senior at Grove High School in 2025… made 65 receptions for 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns while helping the Ridgerunners to a 10-2 record… also had 38 catches for 785 yards and compiled 1,023 all-purpose yards as a junior in 2024… set the school record for career receiving yards… Personal: Born May 16, 2007… son of Jason and Brenda Sheffield… Anticipated Major: management/finance.

 
Honors/Stats: A Missouri Class 6A All-District selection as a senior at Hickman High School in 2025… also a first-team All-Conference honoree as a senior for the Kewpies… a two-year starter… helped Hickman to a 7-3 record this past fall… Personal: Born October 19, 2007… son of Danny Jr. and Dawn Spry… Anticipated Major: business administration.

 
Honors/Stats: A two-time Texas Class 6A All-District selection at Prosper High School (2024-25)… earned first-team All-District honors while helping the Eagles to an 11-2 record this past fall… a second-team All-District pick as a sophomore in 2023… Personal: Born April 13, 2008… son of David and Cheryl Stiggers… Anticipated Major: undecided.

 
Honors/Stats: The Oklahoma Class 6A District 2 Offensive Player of the Year as a senior at Tulsa Union High School in 2025… posted back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons for the Redhawks… made 140 receptions for 2,180 yards and 23 touchdowns over his final two prep seasons… set Union's single-game receiving record with 16 catches for 234 yards and four TDs… Personal: Born July 2, 2007… son of Geoff and Amie Turner… Anticipated Major: undecided.

 
Honors/Stats: A two-time Kansas Class 3A All-State performer at Jefferson West High School (2024-25)… a first-team All-State selection as a senior, helping the Tigers to an 8-3 record and a regional title… also a Class 4A All-State performer in wrestling in 2025… a Kansas National Honor Scholar… Personal: Born April 2, 2008… son of Quinton (deceased) and Jennifer Unruh… Anticipated Major: exercise science.

 
Honors/Stats: An Oklahoma Class 3A District Four Purple Heart Award selection as an offensive lineman as a senior at Berryhill High School in 2025… also made 50 tackles with 7.0 quarterback sacks, an interception and four pass breakups defensively for the Chiefs during his junior campaign… Personal: Born June 19, 2008… son of Eric Vaughn and Ashley Vaughn… Anticipated Major: exercise science.

 
Honors/Stats: A two-time second-team Texas Class 6A All-District performer at Allen High School (2024-25)… helped the Eagles to a 14-1 record and a regional final appearance his senior season… AHS posted a 27-2 combined mark his final two prep seasons… Personal: Born October 6, 2007… son of Brandon and Colleen Villarreal… Anticipated Major: undecided.

 
Honors/Stats: A second-team Texas Class 6A All-District selection as a senior at Cedar Hill High School in 2025… a stand-out performer at Hillcrest High School as a junior in 2024… also competes in golf… Personal: Born January 12, 2008… son of Doug and Andrie Shanks… Anticipated Major: construction engineering technology.

 
Honors/Stats: A three-time Texas Class 6A All-District performer at Mesquite Horn High School (2023-25)… posted 90 tackles and a region-leading six interceptions for the Jaguars during his senior campaign… set school records for single season and career interceptions… Personal: Born February 29, 2008… son of Clifton Youngblood and Whitney Cooper… Anticipated Major: computer science.

 
Honors/Stats: A first-team Missouri Class 6A All-District performer as a senior at Joplin High School in 2025… a three-year All-Area selection for the Eagles (2023-25)… made 29 consecutive starts at center for JHS… also an Honor Roll student and Academic All-State selection… Personal: Born August 1, 2007… son of Rob and Holly Yust… Anticipated Major: construction management.

 

Additionally, the following transfer players have joined the
Pitt State football team at the semester:

 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from MIAA rival Emporia State University… At ESU: Spent three seasons at Emporia State… earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors as a redshirt sophomore in 2025… carried the ball 150 times for 788 yards (5.3 ypc) and seven touchdowns… In High School: A first-team Colorado Class 5A All-State selection as a senior at Eaglecrest High School… rushed for 1,548 yards and 13 scores as a senior for the Raptors… named the Centennial League Offensive Player of the Year… Personal: Born March 19, 2005… son of Matt Cearns and Kourtney Younger… Anticipated Major: recreation services, sport & hospitality management.
 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from MIAA rival Missouri Western State University… At MWSU: Spent two seasons at Missouri Western… saw action in four games in 2025 after redshirting in 2024… In High School: A two-time All-Conference performer at Bentonville High School… made 60 receptions for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior in 2023… had 20 receptions for 410 yards and two scores as a junior for the Tigers… Personal: Born November 3, 2005… son of Dustin and Heather Coon… Anticipated Major: management.
 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from MIAA rival University of Central Oklahoma… At UCO: Redshirted in his only season at Central Oklahoma in 2025… In High School: An honorable mention Oklahoma Class 6A All-State performer as a senior at Mustang High School in 2024… posted 119 tackles with 22.5 tackles-for-loss and 10.5 quarterback sacks for the Broncos… Personal: Born October 18, 2006… son of Tike Jones and Jamaica Seymore… Anticipated Major: construction management.
 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from Coffeyville Community College… In Junior College: Spent two seasons at Coffeyville… posted 70 career tackles with 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 quarterback sacks and two interceptions for the Red Ravens… In High School: A two-time Kansas Class 1A All-State performer at Marion High School (2022-23)… earned All-League honors in each of his final three prep seasons… posted 187 career tackles with 36.5 TFLs, 8.0 QB sacks, five interceptions, 21 PBUs, seven forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries… Personal: Born May 5, 2006… son of Gene and Traci Lanning… Anticipated Major: construction management.

 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from Missouri State University… At MSU: Spent three seasons at Missouri State… played in 15 career games for the Bears, posting three tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble… In High School: A Missouri Class 6A All-State selection as a senior at Kickapoo High School in 2022… a three-time All-Conference performer for the Chiefs… posted 9.0 quarterback sacks during his senior campaign… Personal: Born December 17, 2004… son of Paul and Katy Link… Anticipated Major: finance.

 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from Independence Community College… In Junior College: Spent two seasons at Independence… In High School: An honorable mention Kansas Class 3A All-State selection as a senior at Riverton High School in 2023… also a first-team All-Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee (CNC) League honoree… Personal: Born July 1, 2005… son of Kris and Laura McGlothlin… Anticipated Major: physical education.

 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from NCAA Division II member Winona State University… At WSU: Spent three seasons at Winona State… started 11 games in 2025, posting 35 tackles, four pass breakups and one forced fumble… In High School: A two-time All-Conference and All-District performer at Richfield High School (2021-22)… the District Player of the Year his senior season… an All-State performer in track & field… Personal: Born May 10, 2006… son of Reynell and Amanda Randle… Anticipated Major: undecided.

 
Honors/Stats: Transferred to Pitt State in January from NCAA Division I Arkansas State University… At ASU: Spent two seasons at Arkansas State… saw action in three games for the Red Wolves in 2025… In High School: An Arkansas Class 5A All-State selection as a senior at Valley View High School in 2023… helped Valley View to a 9-3 record as a junior in 2022… Personal: Born December 17, 2005… son of Tim and Tasha Starks… a biology major.