Who Is Pitt Targeting?

This coming Saturday, the Pitt football team will host their first official recruiting weekend of the offseason.

Pittsburgh Sports Now has confirmed that these players will make official visits on Friday: Quayshon Alexander (Nebraska commit), Zack Williams and Juwann Winfree.  This list could/will expand.

(Juwann Winfree)

Here’s a position breakdown of Pitt’s 13 2016 verbal commitments:

QB- Thomas MacVittie (3-star)

RB- Chawntez Moss (3-star)

WR- Ruben Flowers (4-star), Maurice Ffrench (3-star)

OL- Brandon Ford (3-star)

DE- Zack Gilbert (3-star), Patrick Jones (2-star)

DT- Bryce Hargrove (3-star), Rashad Wheeler (3-star)

LB- Chase Pine (3-star), Kaezon Pugh (3-star)

DB- Therran Coleman (3-star), Bricen Garner (3-star)

(Chase Pine)

(Ruben Flower)

(Bryce Hargrove)

Due to many different circumstances, it’s unclear how many total recruits Pat Narduzzi will get for this class. Kids could transfer, quit, NFL  Draft, etc so it’s impossible to say exactly how many recruits will comprise the Class of 2016.

Here’s a list of kids Pitt is recruiting and my opinion on the chances of landing them.

Miles Sanders, Woodland Hills (Penn State recruit)- Sanders is the most talked about recruit amoung Pitt fans. From what I’ve heard, The 5-star,back is very open to flipping to Pitt. However, his mother is pro-Penn State. I believe, the Pitt coaches have to recruit her more than Miles. Not to be boring but this is a coin-flip and likely will come down to Signing Day.

Jo-El Shaw, Woodland Hills (Western Michigan recruit)- Pitt has some “interest ” in Shaw but only has a linebacker. That’s the problem. Shaw has told me multiple times, that he’ll only play running back in college. Highly unlikely that Shaw joins Pitt.

Juwann Winfree, Coffeyville C.C.  (Kansas)- Winfree will visit Pitt this weekend. I think it’s a virtual lock he commits to Pitt. Possibly this weekend.

Aaron Mathews, Clairton- I go back and forth on my opinion on Mathews. Part of me thinks he stays home but other part of me thinks he goes to another school to play wide receiver (his best position). Because of Flowers, Pitt is recruiting Mathews as a safety. In the end, I think Mathews follows Boyd and goes to Pitt.

Jovani Haskins, Bergenfield, NJ, 4-star TE- Pitt is trying very hard to get an official visit from this elite prospect. Last I talked to him, he said, “I’m open to anything right now.” Hope to do an extensive interview with him this week.

Zack Williams, Citra, Florida, OT- will decide between Pitt and West Virginia. Williams has an official visit to Pitt this weekend.  He told me that if things go well, he could commit.  I think Williams picks Pitt

Justin Morgan and Elijah Johnson, OT- both of these guys are Rutgers commits. I haven’t been able to communicate with these guys so I don’t have much of a feel.

Quayshon Alexander, Wayne, New Jersey, DE (Nebraska commit)- Alexander had interest in Pitt before commiting to Nebraska. Alexander will make an official visit to Pitt this weekend. Although he’s visiting, I think Alexander keeps his visit to Nebraska.

Desmond Chapple, Edwardsville, Illinois, DE- Chapple has publicly stated that Pitt is his #1 team. Provided there’s a scholarship available, I think he selects Pitt.

Henry Miller, Kissimmee, Florida, CB- Miller is a prospect that I’m really high on. He’s a big cornerback (6-3) from a football hotbed.  I talked to Miller this week and he was impressed with Pitt DC Josh Conklin.  I think Pitt has a 50/50 shot of landing him.   Could be a very important recruit.

Patrice Rene, Alexandria, Virginia, CB (Rutgers)- Met with Pitt this week and was impressed. However, Pitt has plenty of competition for this 4-star prospect. The key for Pitt is getting him to make an official visit

Robert Washington, North Carolina, RB- had an in house visit with  Andre Powell on Friday. He told me on Friday that he’ll make an official visit to Pitt. He’s also interested in USC, TCU, Louisville and Alabama. Too early to tell on him.

George Hill, Hubbard Ohio, athlete- was an Ohio State commit, but has since de-committed. Hill is considering Pitt, Michigan State and Wisconsin.  In the end, I think he picks Michigan State.

Khaleke Hudson, McKeesport, athlete-  Hudson is the hardest athlete to get a read on, never gives any hints. He’s a kid that can play safety and running back in college. Hudson has officials set for UCLA, Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin. I think Hudson will select either Pitt or Penn State.

Keyshon Camp, Lakeland, Florida, DT- is a USC commit but is open to change. In fact, Camp will make an official to Pitt the weekend of January 15.

Amir Watts, Chicago, Illinois, DT- Watts received an offer from Nebrska this week. Prior to that, he was down to Pitt and Minnesota.  I think his final decision will be Pitt.

Damar Hamlin, Central Catholic, CB-along with Miles Sanders, the most popular recruit in Pittsburgh. Down to Pitt, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Penn State. Arguments can be made for each of these teams. The biggest thing going against Pitt is the attendance. Biggest thing working for them is local recruits, Pat Narduzzi and being close to his family.

I think this is between Pitt and Notre Dame. Knowing that things can change, on December 6th, I’m saying Hamlin to Notre Dame.