Pitt has pursued a large number of 2017 defensive ends. With nearly a week until letter of intent day, Pat Narduzzi and staff would like to add one, potentially two more defensive ends in the current recruiting class. Although late in the process, it appears that have found a tremendous prospect that will visit over the weekend, Upper Malboro (MD) Frederick Douglass High School’s Marcus Bowman (6-foot-2 ½ inches, 235 pounds).
“Pitt offered me when I was in the eleventh grade. We were talking at that time,” said Bowman. “Communication kind fell off until the end of my senior season. At that time, I started communicating with Coach (Andre) Powell. Coach Powell has stopped at my school a few times as well.”
Bowman had a strong senior season recording 6.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick in 10 games and he has elicited interest from a number of P5 programs including Maryland, Syracuse, Temple, NC State, Iowa, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Minnesota and Wake Forest. Marcus had scholarship offers in place from most of the schools pursuing him. The drop off in communication from many of the schools may have been directly linked to his academic situation. He has yet to qualify academically.
Bowman recently took his SATs and he’s waiting on positive results for two additional courses.
“Pitt would be my first official visit and I’m anxious to see what they have to offer,” he said. “I know the Panthers have a great program and they had some big wins this season, especially against Clemson and Penn State.”
When about his strengths at the defensive end position, he stated, “It usually depends on the calls the coaches are making. Sometimes I get moved to defensive tackle and other times I swing out play defensive end. I don’t have a lot of moves, I’m just really strong and I can drive people back. I never give up on a play. Even if they run past me on a play, I won’t sit there and watch. I’ll run them down. I’m an aggressive player. I just care about hitting people.”
Bowman has had his eye on the Pitt football program for quite some time and he was less than shy about his admiration. “I really want to go to Pitt. I would commit to Pitt if I visit. I’m just hoping I have the opportunity to go on the visit.”
The situation: Pat Narduzzi and staff are waiting on defensive ends TyJuan Garbutt, Zion DeBose, Guy Thomas, Kofi Wardlow and Victor Dimukeje to make a decision. Some of the prospects could make their final decisions this week. If none of the prospects make a decision within the week, Bowman’s visit could receive a green light.
Harry G. Psaros can be found on Twitter at @PittGuru
