Pitt Lands Ball-Hawking Florida Corner Kentrail McRae After Standout Senior Season
Pitt continues to build its secondary with length, instincts, and upside - and the latest addition checks all those boxes. Kentrail McRae, a 6-foot-2, 160-pound cornerback out of Clearwater High School in Florida, has officially committed to the Panthers, giving them a rangy, ball-hawking defender with a nose for the end zone.
McRae made the call during his official visit to Pittsburgh back in June, just two months after receiving a spring offer. It didn’t take long for the Panthers to rise to the top of his list, edging out a competitive group that included Cincinnati, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan State, Rutgers, Wake Forest, and several others.
This commitment isn’t just about potential - McRae has been producing at a high level all season. In 12 games during his senior year, he racked up five interceptions, broke up nine passes, and returned two of those picks for touchdowns. That’s not just solid production - that’s playmaking at a premium position.
What stands out on tape is McRae’s combination of size and ball skills. At 6-foot-2, he brings the kind of length that defensive coordinators covet in today’s game, especially against bigger receivers on the outside.
But he’s not just tall - he plays with an edge. He’s physical at the point of attack, doesn’t shy away from contact, and shows a natural ability to track the ball in the air.
When he gets his hands on it, he’s not just looking to knock it down - he’s looking to take it the other way.
From a roster standpoint, McRae fits the mold of what Pitt has been targeting in its secondary under safeties coach Cory Sanders, who served as McRae’s primary recruiter. The Panthers have consistently valued length and versatility in their defensive backs, and McRae brings both. Whether he lines up outside or potentially grows into a hybrid role down the line, he’s got the tools to contribute early and grow into a difference-maker in the ACC.
For now, Pitt fans can celebrate landing a Florida playmaker who’s already shown he can flip the field and change a game. McRae’s senior year was no fluke - and if his trajectory continues, the Panthers may have just added a future cornerstone to their secondary.