Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt 2018 Tight End Targets
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Tight end is a position that Pitt loaded up in their last recruiting class by getting commitments from Charles Reeves, Tyler Sear and Grant Carrigan.
So, who are some candidates in the Class of 2018 to join Tim Salem’s tight end depth chart?
Right now, Pitt has extended offers to seventeen tight ends, including one player that made his college decision yesterday.
Brenden Bates, a 4-star recruit from Cincinnati, gave a commitment to Kentucky. He was a player that I thought would give Pitt a look because of his relationship with current Panther quarterback Thomas MacVittie (high school teammates/childhood friends).
Photo courtesy of Brenden Bates
Of the many tight ends that hold offers, I feel that these five are currently realistic targets and players Pitt can get a commitment from in the future.
1) TJ Banks (6-5, 225), East Allegheny HS
Banks is a local player that’s been on Pitt’s radar the last couple of seasons and someone that’s been at Heinz Field more than a couple of times since Pat Narduzzi was hired. Currently, Banks holds offers from Cincinnati, Maryland, Toledo and West Virginia. By the end of the season, you can expect that list to grow considerably. Big time talent.
TJ Banks (Photo credit: Mike Vukovcan)
2) Keaton Upshaw (6-7, 215), Lima, Ohio
Upshaw is a player that attended Pitt’s Junior Day and really was impressed. In fact, he was a player that I thought could give a commitment to Pitt. Regardless, Upshaw has serious interest in Pitt and is someone to keep your eye on. As we’ve mentioned before, Upshaw is cousin’s with current Pitt receiver Rueben Flowers. Upshaw holds offers from Pitt, West Virginia and Toledo.
Photo courtesy of Keaton Upshaw
3) Jay Symonds (6-4, 248), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Symonds is a player that I really like and after watching his film is a perfect “Pittsburgh” type player. Tough, physical, versatile, team player are the ways I’d describe him. A couple of weeks ago, Pitt was the first team to offer him. Although he’s listed as a tight end, Symonds is probably a player that can play multiple positions on the field.
Courtesy of Jay Symonds
4) Matt Alaimo (6-5, 235), Montvale, New Jersey
Alaimo is a player we haven’t heard much from but has held an offer from Pitt for awhile and the Panthers have been recruiting well recently around his hometown. Alaimo has a huge offer list that includes Minnesota, NC State, Rutgers, Virginia, Arkansas, Louisville and West Virginia.
5) Josh Whyle (6-6, 215), Cincinnati, Ohio
Whyle just landed an offer from Pitt on Thursday and from what I understand has initial interest in them. Whyle has impressive offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Indiana, Louisville, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue, TCU, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
