Pitt FB Recruiting
Linebacker Jackson Henry Joins Pitt as Walk-On
Tonight the Pitt football team added a player that was truly as excited about joining a program as anyone I can remember talking to, as Princeton, New Jersey Linebacker Jackson Henry announced that he was joining the Pitt program as a walk-on.
”I’m actually from Pennsylvania but did a post-graduate year at the Hun School in New Jersey and that’s how I came in contact with Coach Salem. I was able to meet him and explain my situation to him and tell him about myself which sparked some additional interest,” said Henry.
Over the last month, Henry applied to Pitt and told Salem that he would be very interested in joining the team as a walk-on and would love to come up for a visit.
Courtesy of Jackson Henry
”Two weeks ago, I traveled to Pitt to visit with my dad and absolutely fell in love with it. To me what made Pitt unique was how genuine the coaches were. Coach Narduzzi was there in the morning, which was insane. For him to come in early on a Saturday morning to meet with a couple of walk-ons that were interested in Pitt was very eye-opening.”
While talking with Narduzzi, the Panther head coach explained to Henry what he was looking for in a potential walk-on.
“He told my dad and I that they were looking to continue to build on the great culture that’s developing on the team. After talking with players and coaches, I noticed that the team had really bonded and were really big on having a brotherhood on the team. He was very strong on wanting to add great people to the team,” said Henry.
In the end, Henry decided to join Pitt over Ivy League offers and walk-on opportunities from Rutgers and Connecticut.
”I went on visits to all three of them and talked with players and coaches from the programs. However, as soon as I walked on Pitt’s campus I felt at home and could see myself going there as a student and playing football there. I also realized that if anything ever happened to me and I couldn’t step on the field again due to injury or illness, that I could just see myself being a student at Pitt and that’s what it really came down to.”
Courtesy of Jackson Henry
With all that being said, Henry fully intends to get to Pitt with the hopes of making an impression and to earn playing time.
”I play football downhill and I love contact and don’t shy away from it. I’m also a student of the game and love watching film. Honestly, I’m not a 4- or 5-star athlete so I kind of have to find my way around the field,” said Henry.
And that’s a wrap https://t.co/UjeIAdCXjb
— Jackson Henry (@jhenry4848) November 7, 2017
”I’m so excited. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time and can’t wait to get going. Whenever I can get my workout packet together and my strength and conditioning program, I’m ready to get started.”
”I’m ready to prove to everyone that given time and proper coaching, that I can be a player that can compete and play at this level.”
