DaRon Barksdale
Freshman defensive back on Pittsburgh's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
5′10″ · 195 lb · Pittsburgh, PA · Steel Valley
Recruiting
S recruit
No. 921 nationally · Signed with Pittsburgh
No college snaps yet.
His full recruiting profileThe story
1 defensive back on Pittsburgh's roster. No game stats recorded yet.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Pittsburgh in 2026.
DaRon Barksdale
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
His career
2026
- Signed with Pittsburgh3-star out of Steel Valley
Career arc
Splits & context
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Pat Narduzzi
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
A three-star recruit at defensive back for Pittsburgh -- now projected as a quality contributor in the secondary.
He hasn't recorded a college stat yet. Here's what we know about him.
Pittsburgh has produced 5 All-Conference defensive backs. 9 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2018. M.J. Devonshire went on to the NFL out of this room (2024).
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Pittsburgh
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive back · Pittsburgh
Returning around him
- 1 Pittsburgh player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -5 net (16 in / 21 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Pittsburgh · Last season: 8-5 (AP #24) · Talent rank #64 · 2026 recruiting class #44
Background
Enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in January 2026 following his early graduation from Steel Valley. HIGH SCHOOL: Proclaimed as one of the best two-way players in the WPIAL…led Steel Valley to nine wins and a WPIAL runner-up finish as a senior…accumulated 2,649 total yards (2,086 rushing) a...
The secondary · Pittsburgh
- #12Cruce Brookins53 tackles · 2025
- #3Shawn Lee Jr.31 tackles · 2025
- #21Shadarian Harrison29 tackles · 2025
- #26Allen Bryant16 tackles · 2025
- #29DaRon Barksdaleno box-score line yet
13 more on the roster · Pittsburgh team page