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Pitt Reveals Travel Roster for Backyard Brawl

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, September 13th 2025 at 15:40 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Pittsburgh Panthers Reveal 2025 Travel Roster Amid Excitement for the 2025 “Backyard Brawl”

The University of Pittsburgh’s football program has taken a fresh look at the 2025 recruiting cycle, and the latest piece of the puzzle is the unveiling of the “travel roster” that will be on the move in the early fall. Head coach Pat Narduzzi announced the group in a press release on Friday that also highlighted the long‑awaited “Backyard Brawl” game against West Virginia, which is set to take place on Saturday, November 3, 2025, at Heinz Field.

What the Travel Roster Means

The “travel roster” refers to a group of early‑enrolled players who are granted an “early‑enrollment” spot for the spring of 2025. These athletes will be on campus in the spring, completing academics and participating in the team’s fall camp training before the 2025 season even begins. This initiative is part of the Panthers’ broader strategy to give new recruits a head start, allowing them to acclimate to Pittsburgh’s culture, learn the playbook, and work with the coaching staff ahead of their peers.

According to the official PDF released by the athletic department (linkable via the Panthers’ website under “Recruiting” → “2025 Travel Roster”), the group comprises 17 athletes spanning the full spectrum of positions:

• Wide Receivers (WR) – 7
• Defensive Ends (DE) – 2
• Linebackers (LB) – 2
• Quarterback (QB) – 1
• Running Back (RB) – 1
• Offensive Line (OL) – 2
• Cornerbacks (CB) – 2

Each athlete was chosen not only for their talent but also for how they fit into the Panthers’ system. The roster includes a mix of top‑ranked prospects, such as a three‑star WR from Ohio who had been flagged by several Power Five schools, and a highly‑rated defensive end from Texas who was rated as a four‑star recruit by major scouting services.

The early‑enrollment athletes will be eligible to play in games during the 2025 season as long as they meet the NCAA’s academic requirements. “It’s a great way for us to develop our players and give them a chance to get on the field earlier,” Narduzzi told reporters. “They’re in the trenches with us from day one, and that’s exactly the experience we want for our recruits.”

A Look Ahead to the 2025 Season

The travel roster also provides an early glimpse into the team’s depth chart for 2025. While the Panthers will finish the 2024 campaign with a solid 9‑3 record and a bowl berth, the early‑enrolled players are expected to step into roles as starters or key rotational pieces in the 2025 season. Narduzzi emphasized that the early‑enrollment group was “selected for both talent and leadership potential,” and that the coaching staff will be looking for those traits to help guide the program into its next chapter.

“We have a very strong recruiting class in 2025, and the travel roster is a testament to the level of talent we’re attracting,” said Narduzzi. “These guys have signed early, they’re on campus, they’re already playing the Panthers way, and they’ll be ready to compete when the season starts.”

The team’s 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked in the top 25 in the country by several major services, with the travel roster forming the backbone of the group. The Panthers have continued to build on their strong legacy of developing quarterbacks and defensive backs, and the early‑enrolled roster suggests that the program is poised to maintain that tradition.

The “Backyard Brawl” and Its Significance

The article also draws attention to the 2025 “Backyard Brawl,” a storied rivalry between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the West Virginia Mountaineers that dates back to the 1890s. The matchup is scheduled for the final weekend of the regular season and is always a high‑stakes game for both programs, often determining the fate of a team’s bowl eligibility and recruiting buzz.

“The Backyard Brawl is always a special day for Pittsburgh,” Narduzzi said. “We’re always looking to win it, and this year we’re excited about our early‑enrolled guys stepping onto the field. It’s going to be a big moment for the program and the fan base.”

For fans, the 2025 edition of the game will carry extra significance, given the potential to feature several new players who were part of the travel roster. The Panthers’ recruiting media guide (which is linked on the official site under “Game Schedule” → “Backyard Brawl”) details the 2025 schedule, including the opponent, location, and kickoff time. The guide also lists all 2025 players who are expected to make significant contributions to the game.

Key Takeaways

• Travel Roster Release: 17 early‑enrolled athletes for the 2025 season, covering WR, DE, LB, QB, RB, OL, and CB positions.
• Early‑Enrollment Strategy: Players join the team in spring 2025, gaining a head start on academics, training, and playbook learning.
• 2025 Recruiting Class: Ranked in the top 25 nationally, with the travel roster forming a core.
• Backyard Brawl: 2025 matchup against West Virginia scheduled for November 3, with early‑enrolled players expected to contribute.
• Coaching Perspective: Pat Narduzzi emphasizes talent, leadership, and early development as cornerstones of the program’s future.

As the Panthers gear up for a promising 2025 season, the travel roster announcement and the anticipation of the Backyard Brawl highlight the program’s ambition to combine early development with tradition. Fans can keep up with the latest roster details and schedule updates on the official Pittsburgh Panthers website, where links to the recruiting portal and game information are readily available.