Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Amongst Finalists For Talented RB Kyshaun Bryan
A number of very talented players completed official visits to Pitt last weekend. One of the final offensive prospects on the Panthers’ recruiting board was amongst the visitors: dynamic Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Kyshaun Bryan.
Bryan was asked about last weekend’s visit and he stated, “Just from the start of the visit, they treated me like family. We felt like part of the family at Pitt and they wined and dined us. It was a great feeling to be there.”
“I got to meet most of the coaching staff, and I noticed all of them have, they all have their different personalities. But they all have one goal, and they’re real straight up with each other, they’re real straight up with the recruits, and they were straight up with me, and I like how they are. Coach (Pat) Narduzzi has built a real family culture. It was noticeable, especially with the team, the coaching staff and the players. I hung out with some of the players that are already there and I saw that.”
As a senior, the 5-foot-10 inch, 205 pound all-purpose back rushed 98 times for 706 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and scored seven rushing touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 71 yards (17.8 yards per catch).
Bryan was asked to elaborate on one or two items that stood out to him on his visit. He responded, “I liked how they work with the students, and how the facilities are working. They layout is unique but it works. I was a little iffy, that was something that I was a little iffy about before I got there. But I thought it was great. I like how it motivates the college players to be there, so I think just being with a NFL team and how they share that bond and share everything they do is real good.”
Pitt’s coaching staff is enamored with Bryan’s playmaking ability and versatility. Prior to leaving Pittsburgh, he met with Coach Narduzzi one on one. He was asked to elaborate on their sit down discussion.
“They want me and they told me that. They just want to see what’s going to come out of me and no matter what, I’ve got to come in and compete,” he said. “They’ve got some great backs there, and then they’ve got Todd Sibley that’s coming in, which is another great back, so I’m going to come in and compete. They told me to come in and compete with some great backs and get better, so I’m excited about that.”
Bryan’s father and step-mother visited KyShaun. He indicated they enjoyed the visit as well. He said, “They loved it. They loved Coach Narduzzi, Coach (Andre) Powell, Coach (Tim) Salem and everybody they met. They felt what I was feeling when I was there. We’re just really excited about them, and it was a great visit.”
He was asked to describe his strengths at the running back position and he stated, “My vision and my strength stand out. I have great vision. I can see the hole open then bursting through it. And my speed. My breakaway speed.”
Bryan is a current teammate of Pitt linebacker commitment Albert Tucker and a former teammate of Pitt wide receiver commitment Dontavius Butler when he was at Plantation (FL) American Heritage. Butler and Tucker have high hopes to continue playing with Bryan. He was asked about them and stated, “Yeah. Well (Dontavius) Butler I’ve known since I was a little kid. We played Little League growing up together, so that’s family right there. He’s recruiting me to go (to Pitt) and we’ve been talking every day since that time. He’s been hitting me up quite a bit. That’s my dude right there.”
KyShaun then added, “(Albert) Tucker I just met this year, coming in the same time. He’s a real good player. And I think he’s going to be real good at Pitt.”
Bryan, a South Carolina commitment, will visit the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend. His final decision will come down to Pitt, Iowa and South Carolina. KyShaun indicated that he will huddle up with his family after his Iowa visit and make a final decision.
“I want to make my final decision before Wednesday (letter of intent day). I want to know where I’m going beforehand. My decision will come down to where I’m most comfortable.”
Harry G. Psaros can be found on Twitter at @PittGuru
