Pitt Lands Speedy Florida WR Bryan Hamilton: A Scheme Fit With Explosive Upside
The Pitt Panthers continue to build out their future wide receiver room with the addition of Bryan Hamilton, a dynamic playmaker out of Tampa’s Gaither High School. At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Hamilton isn’t the biggest target on the board, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, versatility, and a natural feel for the game. And for a Pitt staff that’s clearly leaning into a youth movement at the position, Hamilton fits the mold they're looking for.
A Florida Playmaker With Options
Hamilton’s recruitment started heating up early in 2025, and Pitt was among the first to jump in with an offer back in February. From there, the Panthers made him a priority, with assistant coaches JJ Laster and Kade Bell leading the charge.
That relationship-building paid off. Despite interest from programs like Kansas State, Duke, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin, Hamilton ultimately canceled a planned trip to Manhattan and committed to Pitt in June.
His connection with wide receivers coach JJ Laster stood out as a major factor in his decision. Hamilton described Laster as “very open, honest and competitive,” and he sees himself fitting well in the offensive scheme Pitt is running.
Senior Season Snapshot
Hamilton backed up the recruiting hype with a strong senior campaign. In 10 games this fall, he hauled in 42 catches for 700 yards and eight touchdowns.
He also showed off his special teams value, returning two punts for scores. His Gaither squad made a solid run in the Florida state playoffs before falling to powerhouse Lakeland in a tight 15-8 game.
Over his final two seasons of high school football, Hamilton totaled 1,834 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns across 22 games. That kind of production, especially in a competitive Florida high school football landscape, speaks to his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
Recruitment Journey: A Late Push, But No Flip
Even after committing to Pitt, Hamilton’s recruitment wasn’t entirely quiet. He made an official visit to Colorado in late August, but nothing materialized from that trip.
More recently, new Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin tried to make a late run at flipping him, but the timing wasn’t right. Hamilton stayed firm in his pledge to the Panthers.
Where He Fits at Pitt
Hamilton joins a crowded but promising wide receiver room in Pittsburgh. The Panthers have three other wideouts in this incoming class, along with three more from last year’s group. That’s a clear signal that the coaching staff is reshaping the position with young, moldable talent-and Hamilton checks a lot of boxes.
He’s quick, elusive in space, and brings added value in the return game. While it may be tough for him to break into the rotation early with so many bodies in the room, his skill set gives him a chance to carve out a role, even if it starts on special teams. Long-term, he projects as a strong fit in a system that values speed and versatility at the receiver position.
The Bottom Line
Bryan Hamilton is the kind of player who might not grab national headlines on signing day, but he has the tools to develop into a real asset for Pitt. With strong relationships in place, a scheme that suits his game, and a productive high school career behind him, Hamilton arrives in Pittsburgh with both upside and opportunity. The next step is earning his spot in a deep receiver room-and if his high school tape is any indication, he’s not going to back down from the challenge.