Pitt FB Recruiting
Recruits React to Pitt’s Junior Day
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Pitt wrapped up their annual Junior Day yesterday as they host both players with and without scholarship offers from the team.
Throughout the morning, Pittsburgh Sports Now has been getting reaction from players who were here for the weekend.
Ricky Williams Jr, LB, Georgia:
”The day was amazing, enjoyable, and everything I want in a college. I was VERY impressed with the facilities and the coaching staff along with the academics,,which is a big deal to me,” said Williams.
“My talk with all the coaches was very positive. My favorite coaches were Coach Harley & Coach Johnson. I met coach Johnson when he was with Savannah State & I like him a lot as a coach and me and Coach Harley vibe real well.
Courtesy of Ricky Williams Jr.
“To get a offer from Pitt would be incredible and a dream come true, I love the city of Pittsburgh and I have been a lifelong Steelers fan for longer than I can remember. To be next to my favorite pro football team would be all the motivation I need throughout college,” said Williams.
Garrett Braden, LB, Connecticut:
“Junior Day was an awesome opportunity to get a sense of Pitt athletically and academically. I️ was down here for a game during the season but wasn’t able to capture a picture of the whole Pitt experience, and today I️ felt I️ got a better sense for that,” said Braden.
“What impressed me was the staffs attention to detail and making every recruit know what it is like to be a Pitt Panther. The position specific meetings were great to learn how the linebackers go through a practice and coach Harley expectations for his players.”
Courtesy of Garrett Braden
“Specifically a scholarship did not come up, but talk of the future was frequent. We discussed about getting down to the June camps as well as having Coach Salem come visit my school in the spring. A scholarship from Pitt would mean everything, as it is one of my top schools of choice. The city has an amazing fan base and the school has a great support system. I️ also feel that I️ would fit in the defense perfectly.”
John Branham Jr, RB, Ohio:
”The breakfast was great. The cookies were prefect not to soft not to firm. Every time we come to Pitt the food is awesome even after we leave the facility the mom and pops places are great. It was a very good day,” said Branham.
“I enjoyed talking with Coach Powell all day. That was the best part. I got to watch film watch drills and learn. Coach Powell is funny also and has tons of jokes. But they are smooth so you don’t see them coming!”
Coach Duzz is an honest coach as a recruit I love that. We talked about effort, attitude and toughness.”
“I haven’t thought about ranking schools or committing, I’m just focusing on getting better and building relationships. For me its more about relationship then anything else,” said Branham.
Thomas Joe-Kamara, Safety, New Jersey:
”It was a great visit in my opinion. I enjoyed every second of the visit. What impressed me the most was the type of defensive system they run. Watching film with the coaches helped me get a little more engaged in how the defensive system worked but I caught on quickly and the coach was impressed,” said Kamara.
“I talked with a number of coaches such as the safety coach, the linebacker coach, and the coach recruiting me, Tim Salem. They said they all heard of me before they actually met me in person saying they enjoyed watching my film saying I was a good player.”
“Getting a scholarship from Pitt would be a huge blessing. I like the way the defense works and I can possibly see myself fitting in immediately with my fellow teammate Phil Campbell when I come in as a freshmen. He would be a senior when I come in my freshman season so he could really be a big help.”
**We’ll update this as we hear back from more recruits.
