Pitt Flips Missouri Safety Commit Tony Forney on Signing Day
Pitt football missed out on Tony Forney the first time around, but the Panthers struck on early National Signing Day and added the 2026 prospect out of Kell High School (Ga.).
Forney — a 6-foot, 185-pound safety — had been committed to Missouri since July 4, but he is now a Pitt Panther after officially putting pen to paper on early National Signing Day.
Pitt was Forney’s first offer all the way back in February of 2024. Cornerbacks coach Archie Collins spearheaded the recruitment as the Panthers landed in Forney’s top five back in May with Missouri, Auburn, Georgia and Wisconsin.
Forney was set to take a Pitt official visit during the weekend of June 20, but it never panned out. He took official visits to Wisconsin and Missouri.
Along with his top five options, Forney boasted an excellent offer sheet that also included Texas A&M, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Indiana, Arizona State, Maryland, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Kansas State and more.
Forney and his Kell High School squad went 11-2 this season as the safety recruit totaled 51 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one interception and six pass breakups.
Pitt now has four defensive backs in its 2026 class. Cornerback Kentrail McRae and safeties Da’Ron Barksdale and Isaac Patterson all signed with the Panthers Wednesday morning.
