Steel Valley defensive back Da’Ron Barksdale commits to Pitt

By: Chris Harlan
Monday, June 23, 2025 | 8:51 PM

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Steel Valley defensive back Da’Ron “Daedae” Barksdale has committed to Pitt, giving the Panthers another WPIAL recruit in the 2026 class.

A 5-foot-11, 175-pound rising senior, Barksdale chose the Panthers over offers from West Virginia and Syracuse, among others. Recruiting websites Rivals and 247Sports both rated him as a three-star prospect. Rivals ranked him as the state’s 12th-best recruit in his class.

He announced his commitment on social media Monday, becoming the fourth rising senior from the WPIAL to choose Pitt.

Barksdale drew his first college offers in the spring of his freshman year — including from Pitt — before missing his sophomore season to a knee injury. He returned to the field last fall, scoring 20 touchdowns and earning all-conference honors on defense.

He proved his health by rushing for 905 yards on 95 carries, an average of 9.5 yards per attempt. His longest touchdown run was a 93-yarder. Defensively, he ranked second on the team in tackles.

By committing to Pitt, he joined North Allegheny’s Lincoln Hoke, Peters Township’s Reston Lehman and Pine-Richland’s John Curran as 2026 commits from the WPIAL.

Thanks to the entire staff for treating my like family and allowing me to be family at all times. Thank you Coach 🐆@CoachDuzzPittFB @coachcsanders @Ballhawk__8@ARCHIECOLLINS_ @BatesBacker @210ths @Evolve7v7 @sharkomartin @DulinOlando@BrianDohn247 @RivalsFriedman@On3Recruits pic.twitter.com/5CNJccVevy

— Da’Ron“Daedae”Barksdale⚡️3⭐️DB (@DaronBarksdale) June 23, 2025

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Steel Valley