Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Weekend Visitors: 2020 DE Gage Keys
Over the next few days, PSN will run a series of interviews that we’ve done with high school players that made unofficial visits to the Pitt-Virginia Tech game. All these players are either current sophomores or juniors and none currently hold offers from Pitt
Gage Keys, 2020 DE, Hilliard Davidson High School (Ohio):
Gage Keys has the frame of a modern day defensive end (6′-5″, 230) and the athletic ability that all programs covet. Those are just some of the reasons this junior from Ohio is getting interest from the Pitt football program.
Keys (Hilliard Davidson High School, Hilliard, Ohio) was one of the many underclassman on hand at Heinz Field for Pitt’s demolition of Virginia Tech.
“They looked really good,” said Keys. “The Pitt bench had a lot of energy and were into the game and that’s something that’s always good to see because I know it gets the players on the field going. Plus, I really liked the atmosphere at Heinz Field, that was really good to see.”
At this point, Keys holds an offer from Toledo but is getting looked at by schools such as Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, Michigan State and Pitt. Although they haven’t offered yet, the Panther staff has made it a point to keep in contact with him.
Courtesy of Gage Keys
“At the beginning of this football season, one of Pitt’s assistants texted my head coach and invited me to their opener. That was really the first time that I had contact with them so I came up for the game vs. Albany. Ever since then, I’ve gotten mail from them every week updating me on the scores of their game and stuff. Then recently, Coach Paris Johnson invited me up for this game so I came.”
Prior to the game, Keys talked extensively with Johnson and is optimistic an offer could be coming in the near future.
“I definitely feel it’s a possibility based off the way we have been talking.’
Keys describes his strengths as his aggressiveness on the field, hustle and the ability to get to and be around the ball. Now that his junior season his over with, his off-season goals are to try and increase his speed and strength. He plans on being a fixture in the weight room this winter.
“I definitely feel my strengths would translate well into Pitt’s defensive scheme,” said Keys. “I’m an aggressive player and can get to the quarterback which is something their defensive ends do a great job of doing. I feel I’d be a great fit for their defensive and it would put me in a great situation.”
Keys is going to continue to work hard and be patient but hopes to get that call soon from Pitt.
“An offer from them would mean everything. It would be my first Power Five offer and be an indicator of where my game is.”
