Merritt Island Standout Deshaun Thomas Commits to Pittsburgh, Joins QB Kevin Verpaele in Panthers’ Future Plans
By Zane Garcia // May 31, 2026
Thomas selected Pittsburgh from an impressive list of more than 20 Division I scholarship offers
The Merritt Island Mustangs now have a second future Pittsburgh Panther on their roster. The quarterback-tight end duo of Kevin Verpaele and Deshaun Thomas is looking to keep their connection going beyond high school.
BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – The connection between Merritt Island standout quarterback Kevin Verpaele and star tight end Deshaun Thomas could continue well beyond the high school football field.
Thomas, a highly sought-after Class of 2027 tight end for the Merritt Island Mustangs, announced on social media that he has verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh, giving the Panthers a second future Mustang from one of Brevard County’s top football programs.
The commitment comes after Thomas and Verpaele spent the weekend visiting the campus in Pittsburgh.
The trip ultimately solidified Thomas’ decision to join the Panthers, where he could reunite with his longtime collegiate quarterback.
Thomas selected Pittsburgh from an impressive list of more than 20 Division I scholarship offers. Among the programs pursuing the talented tight end were Florida State, Louisville, UCF, Georgia Tech and USF.
The commitment marks a significant recruiting victory for Pittsburgh, which continues to build a future connection between two of Florida’s rising football prospects.
Verpaele, who committed to Pittsburgh nearly a year ago, has emerged as one of the state’s top quarterback prospects.
His relationship with Thomas on the field has been a major factor in Merritt Island’s offensive success, and that chemistry could soon transition to the Atlantic Coast Conference.
During the 2025 season, Verpaele threw 27 touchdown passes, with Thomas hauling in 11 of those scores.
The athletic tight end finished the year with 41 receptions for 570 yards while serving as one of the Mustangs’ most dangerous offensive weapons.
The duo helped lead Merritt Island to a 7-5 record and a berth in the Florida High School Athletic Association regional semifinals.
The Mustangs’ season came to an end against Eau Gallie, but with both Verpaele and Thomas returning for another year, expectations will be high heading into the 2026 campaign.
With one high school season still remaining before National Signing Day, both players will continue to attract attention from college programs. Verbal commitments are non-binding and can change prior to signing.
For now, however, Pittsburgh appears poised to benefit from one of the Space Coast’s most productive quarterback-tight end combinations.
If their commitments hold, Verpaele and Thomas will trade their Mustang uniforms for Panthers gear and begin the next chapter of their football careers together in the fall of 2027.
