Long Way Until February

The Pittsburgh Sports Now Twitter timeline got ugly today when 2 players that Pitt was recruiting gave verbal commitments elsewhere. Washington DC center Johnny Jordan joined hometown Maryland, while Ohio defensive tackle Derrius Mullins gave a pledge to Indiana.

Photo courtesy of Johnny Jordan

The outcry from Panther fans over the loss of these two players is probably more of a product of a quiet summer for verbal commitments. While there hasn’t been a lot of activity over the last couple months, Pitt fans just need to relax. It’s only August and National Letter of Intent Day is still 7 months away. Let me repeat; 7 months away.

I know Pitt fans don’t want to hear this, but the football program isn’t on the level of Ohio State, Notre Dame or Florida State, where recruits automatically give them commitments. Pat Narduzzi and his staff have to work a bit harder to land recruits, that’s just a fact.

The other factor that Pitt fans must consider is that Narduzzi is recruiting a higher caliber recruit than the program has gone after recently. They’re battling the top schools from the ACC, Big 10, SEC, etc  for players and it’s going to take work. Down the road, recruiting  might get easier for Pitt but unfortunately they’re not at that point yet.

William Putnam at Pitt Football Camp – Photo courtesy of William Putnam

Entering August, Pitt has received 9 verbal commitments, including ones from 4-star players Paris Ford and Todd Sibley and their overall class is ranked in the 30’s. Will that ranking improve? Of course it will.

Currently, the Pitt staff is recruiting top end recruits like Charles Reeves (Steubenville, Ohio), Carter Warren (Wayne, New Jersey), Thayer Munford (Massilon, Ohio), Josh Fedd-Jackson (Montvale, New Jersey), Donovan Jeter (Beaver Falls), Victor Dimukeje (Baltimore, Maryland), Jacob Lichtenstein (Weston, Florida), TyJuan Garbutt (Fredericksburg, Virginia), Drew Singleton (Paramus, New Jersey), Nathan Proctor (Indian Head, Maryland) and Lamont Wade (Clairton). I like Pitt’s chances of landing a few of these players and when they do so, the mood of the fan base will improve. But until that happens, the Pitt fan base will be restless.

Lamont Wade works out at Clairton High School

I have zero doubt that come February, Narduzzi and his assistants will pull in a Top 25-30 recruiting class. Those guys can and will attract talent, just give them time. Remember, we still have over 200 days till National Signing Day!