Pitt FB Recruiting
Will Pitt Close On A Cornerback?
Something to keep an eye on with Pitt recruiting is the cornerback position. Pitt has offered a few prospects, lost a cornerback commitment and are in the hunt for a couple of talented ones. However, will they actually be able to land any of them?
A couple of things to keep in mind: 1) Exree Loe de-committed a couple months ago 2) Pitt is losing just one cornerback following this season. They will have Avonte Maddox, Dane Jackson, Therran Coleman, Damar Hamlin, Henry Miller and George Hill all for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Do they need to take another cornerback and if so, how many?
Pitt freshman Damar Hamlin moving in – Photo Courtesty of Mario Hamlin
Here are the remaining un-committed cornerbacks that Pitt has offered and are still currently recruiting: Lamont Wade (Clairton HS), Ambry Thomas (Detroit, Michigan), Donovan Johnson (Detroit, Michigan), Kenny Bennett (Philadelphia), Quentin Lake (California) and Josiah Scott (Fairfield, Ohio)
What are Pitt’s chances with each of these players?
Lamont Wade: Honestly, I don’t have a feel for what he’s thinking. Most people think it will come down to Ohio State or Penn State but that’s just their opinion. I wouldn’t completely rule out Pat Narduzzi and Pitt until Wade decides otherwise. Narduzzi and his staff will battle for Wade until the very end.
Ambry Thomas and Donovan Johnson: Of the two, I feel Pitt has a better shot with Thomas, but even that is still a long shot. I believe there’s a chance Thomas makes another visit to Pitt, possibly soon, but in the end I’d expect him to stay closer to his hometown state of Michigan.
Quentin Lake: In April when he visited here and received the offer from Pitt, I thought Pitt had a chance, but the fact that he hasn’t returned isn’t a good sign. I talked with Lake a couple days ago who told me that as of now, he doesn’t have any upcoming trips planned. Just guessing but I’d expect Lake to stay home and play for his dad’s former school, UCLA.
Josiah Scott: I thought Pitt was going to land him until yesterday when he received the scholarship from Michigan State. I wouldn’t rule Pitt out completely but Narduzzi is going to have to out recruit his former team. Scott told me that he plans on deciding by the end of the month.
Photo courtesy of Josiah Scott.
Kenny Bennett: This is a talented, physical cornerback from Philadelphia. He’s a player that reminds me of incoming Pitt cornerback Therran Coleman. I know the Pitt staff really likes Bennett and hopes to land him. This past week, Virginia Tech became the 10th team to offer Bennett.
The Pitt coaches will do their best to land one or more of these players and if they don’t, they’ll move on. One thing that I can tell you is that Pitt will never offer or take a player just to fill a spot.
