Recruits Reaction To Junior Day

The Pitt football coaches hosted over 45 recruits today and by all accounts, it was a successful day.

Folowing the Pitt/Duke basketball game, I was able to get reaction from many of the visitors.

Rick Squires, Penn Hills 2017 athlete- “I was only there for the game but I could feel the unique atmosphere and Pitt will always be one of the top schools for me.”

Johnny Jordan, G/C, Washington, D.C.., “I really enjoyed my time at Pitt today. It was my first time getting up to Pitt and it was nice. I spent the majority of my time with Coach Powell and Coach Peterson. I was really impressed with how close they are with the Steelers. That was really cool.  We ate breakfast in the Steelers cafeteria. Pitt is definitely in consideration for me.  My family is all from about 1-2 hours from Pittsburgh so the perk of playing close to family is definitely enticing.”

Jordan told me that he doesn’t have an offer from Pitt yet but the coaches told him today they’d be in touch.

Joel Honigford, OT, Sugarcreek, Ohio- “I enjoyed the visit and getting to talk to all of the coaches especially coach Narduzzi and Peterson. I liked what I had to see. What impressed me most was having so many recruits there, but the coaches really personalized the Junior Day for me. I got to hang with a lot of coaches and that was really nice. Pitt is still right along with everyone else. Once I visit everywhere that I want to I’ll be able to narrow things down.”

Thayer Munford, OT, Cincinnati, Ohio- “Exciting, thrilling, loving, nothing else like Pitt. The loving support that the coach’s gave me. They stand on top of my list.”

I followed up and asked if Pitt is #1 with him and Munford said “Yes”

Mike Miranda, G/C, Stow, Ohio- “I had a great time seeing the facilities and campus. Campus was beautiful. I think the closeness to an NFL franchise is the most intriguing thing in my mind.  Pitt was and still is towards the top of my list after today’s visit.”

Isaiah Moore, LB,  Chesterfield, Virginia- “I enjoyed my weekend at Pitt. The coaches showed my family and I a lot of love, and it was cool to be able to go to the basketball game. I was most impressed with how they work right next to the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I don’t really have a ranking of my top schools yet, but if Pitt were to offer, I would definitely consider them.” #H2P

Tim Terry, LB, Central Catholic- “I was fascinated by the new facility and I really liked how coach Narduzzi was out talking to the player and parents the whole time. Pitt is one of the Top schools I’m thinking about attending.”

Keontae Jones, S, Cincinnati, Ohio- “Great overall college and they have great facilities. What impressed me the most was 1:14 ratio from teachers to students, so you don’t have big classes. I’m still looking around.”

Mekhi Becton, OT, Highland Springs, Va- ” It was great! The thing that most impressed me was how their entire staff was a family and how they connected with the players.  I would say that Pitt is close to the top.”

Ellis Brooks, LB, Richmond, Virginia- “It was a really fun as well as a insightful weekend.  I enjoyed it a lot.  My position Coach Harley really impressed me .  He’s a cool guy and I liked him a lot.  I like Pitt a lot and I really enjoyed my time there.”

***I’m told that Pitt has offered 2018 TE Zach Kuntz (Camp Hill, Pa).  Kuntz is 6-7, 210,  and has offers from Duke, Maryland, Michigan, Penn State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

Jaylen Twyman, DT, Washington, DC, – “MAN PITT WAS LIT!!  THE FACILITY WAS CRAZY. What impressed me was how down to earth the were.  Pitt is a high contender for me.”

***Pitt has offered a prospect from West Virginia. Dorian Etheridge (OLB/WR) from Charleston, West Virginia is latest prospect to get offer from the Panthers. Etheridge has offers West Virginia, Maryland, Marshall, Virginia Tech and Louisville.

Mike Tverdov, DE, New Jersey- “I visited Pitt today right after visiting PennState yesterday.  I had a good time there it was a brief visit but I enjoyed myself and getting to know some of the coaches. The thing that impressed me most is that they seem like a trustworthy staff, so if you have a scholarship offer from Pitt you have a scholarship offer from Pitt. They will not pull it or do shady things like other schools do so that meant a lot. Coach Narduzzi basically told me they are very interested in me and just to keep working and getting better. They are coming back to see me during the spring.”

Charles Reeves, TE/WR, Steubenville, Ohio- “The best weekend I’ve had at a college!! I love the coaching staff at Pitt.  I love their attitudes toward me , they believe I can play early.  Pitt’s maybe #1 now.”

Phil Jurkovec, 2018 QB, Pine-Richland- “It was a lot of fun at the junior day! I got to talk to the coaches and see the facilities for awhile. Overall it was really cool and I got to see a great basketball game.”

Matt Sichterman, OT,  Kings Mills, Ohio- “This weekend at Pitt was amazing! I really had a great time meeting all the coaches and seeing the great opportunities and top notch facilities Pitt has to offer. The thing that impressed me the most was how easy all the coaches were to connect with and how easy it was to even talk with Coach Narduzzi. The fan support at the basketball game was awesome too. Pitt is my #1 school right now. I’m going to check out as many other schools as I can but Pitt will be tough to beat.”

Carter Warren, OT, Wayne, New Jersey- “It was great!! The city itself is just BEAUTIFUL!!The staff is amazing!! And the academic program one of the best!! Coach Narduzzi and Coach Peterson are both great coaches that I think are able to win a national championship!! And Yes, I will be revisiting in the future.

(More reaction coming)