Sunday Pitt Notes

It was an amazing day at Heinz Field yesterday for the Pitt football program and head coach Pat Narduzzi. Getting a win over their top rival in front of a record crowd and 70+ recruits is a memorable day for the Panthers.

However, that’s in the past and preparation for Oklahoma State starts today. Trying to win in Stillwater is a difficult task that got even more difficult with the Cowboy’s controversial loss to Central Michigan. Oklahoma State won’t be ranked anymore so Coach Narduzzi will have to wait another week to get a win over his first ranked opponent.

(Photo credit: David Hague)

** The Pitt coaching staff offered two 2018 prospects yesterday, LB Dallas Grant and OG Justin Johnson. Grant is a 4-star linebacker from Toledo, Ohio and holds offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, etc.

Johnson is a mammoth offensive lineman (6-7, 342) from Philadelphia with offers from Texas Tech and San Diego State. Johnson was attending yesterday’s game when he received the good news.

“My reaction to the offer was multiple feelings, all positive but I’d have to say I was just ecstatic,” said Johnson. Coach Narduzzi offered me himself. We then talked about the program and how I’d make a good impact there if I was to come.”

“Pitt stands with me as all the other schools that are recruiting me. I appreciate all the coaches who’ve offered me and consider my whole recruitment process a huge blessing!”

** As far as the game itself, I reached out to a number of the players after the game to get their reaction to the experience and impression that it left with them. A few have gotten back to me, so I’ll update this as more of them do.

— Justin Johnson, OG, Philadelphia: “My thoughts were that Pitt’s football team came out and did what they were suppose to do, dominate. They were prepared to play some football and everyone did what they were suppose to. It was amazing how dominant they were upfront and throughout the rest of the game. Pitt has always interested me, so they didn’t have to help themselves with me.”

— Marcus Hooker, 2018 CB/WR, New Castle: “Everything was great from the greeting at the door to us leaving. I loved the atmosphere there, it was great.”

New Castle’s Marcus Hooker at Heinz Field for Pitt-Penn State (Photo credit: Mike Vukovcan)

— Kevin Doyle, 2018 Pennsylvania 4-star QB: “Today was a great day for my family and O’Shaan Alison who is the RB on my team who came with me. He and I both have an interest in Pitt and the coaches were very excited to see us. The game was awesome. Coach Canada’s offense was very intriguing to me and Pitt definitely impressed me today.”

PA 2018 QB Kevin Doyle (Photo credit: Mike Vukovcan)

— Tyreke Smith, 2018 Ohio 4-star defensive end:”The game was great! It was down to the last seconds and it showed me that the team didn’t fall apart. They stuck together and pulled through. It was an overall great visit!”

Photo courtesy of Tyreke Smith

UPDATE (9:14 AM)-

— Caleb Deveaux, 2018 North Carolina 3-star running back: “Pitt has been very consistent in the recruiting process so far… I was impressed with all phases of the game they had a very good game plan. The environment was electric over all I had a good time.”

UPDATE (10:32 AM)-

— Kenny Pickett, 2017 QB, Pitt commitment: “The atmosphere at the game was something I have never experienced and I couldn’t believe how passionate the fans were. I was also very impressed with how the offense played and how well they executed. Overall it was a great game.”