Pitt FB Recruiting
Reigelsperger High On Pitt
Since we started Pittsburgh Sports Now back in November, I’ve talked with a ton of interesting, smart, polite recruits, but Alex Reigelsperger might be at the top of my favorite interviews.
I don’t know where this talented 4-star defensive end from Ohio will land, but I do know that he’ll instantly turn into a “go to guy” for the local media. Reigelsperger is only entering his junior season of high school but he handles himself like a veteran professional athlete.
Now on to the reason that I spoke with him today and that’s because he was just included in ESPN’s new list of the top players in the Class of 2018. The 4-star player was ranked #156 in the country, which came as a surprise.
Photo courtesy of Alex Reigelsperger
“I didn’t really think I’d make it,” said Reigelsperger. “To be honest, I didn’t even look when it came out. I didn’t know until I was tagged in a tweet that said ‘Congrats on being #156.’ I was like ‘Wow’ (laughing). I then looked at it and called my family. I always believed in myself and knew that with hard work comes reward, whether it’s that (rankings) or an offer.”
“To make that list is really cool and nice to know that all the hard work I’m putting in day in and day out is paying off. When I was younger, Tyree Kinnel from my school was a 5-star recruit (ended up going to Michigan). Now it’s really cool to be able to get to work my way up to be able to do the same thing and knowing that there’s probably a kid out there looking at me the same way. It’s cool and rewarding and I’m glad it worked out that way,” said Reigelsperger.
Reigelsperger (6-5, 230) has his fair share of offers but the two that stand out to him are Pitt and Kentucky. Why those 2 schools?
Kentucky – “They just built all new facilities and they’re in the SEC, I really like the SEC.”
Pitt – “Coach Narduzzi, I really like Coach Narduzzi and Coach Sims. To be able to play and practice in one of the greatest cities in the nation and to be able to play in the ACC with some of the big dogs like Clemson and Florida State. I really like Pitt a lot.”
Photo courtesy of Alex Reigelsperger
Sometimes you wonder if recruits just get tired of the recruiting process and just want to end it by making a decision. I asked Reigelsperger about that or will he ride it out and see if anything else develops down the road?
“Funny you asked that, I’ll be honest with you. There are some days I’ll wake up and be like, I would love to be committed to Pitt or Kentucky or somewhere right now and then other days I’ll be like, I’m not going to commit till I’m invited to the Under Armor Game or just announce the day before National Signing Day and I’ll just take all 5 of my visits.” said Reigelsperger.
“There’s days I want to be committed and not worried and other days I just want to wait it out. But there’s a couple of places that I really like and really feel at home at. Time will tell.”
