Pitt FB Recruiting
Mark Whipple Visits With Norwin 2020 Quarterback Jack Salopek
Although offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Mark Whipple is just getting started at Pitt, he’s already pretty familiar with Norwin 2020 quarterback Jack Salopek.
When Whipple was still head coach at UMass before he came to Pitt he offered a scholarship to the talented junior quarterback. This weekend, the two met face-to-face as Whipple made a visit to Norwin High School.
“Coach Whipple was mostly talking about where’s he’s been and who’s he’s coached,” Salopek told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “Also, he was mostly just saying how he likes to run things and run his offense. He said that I can come to spring practice whenever I want and to make sure I get back on campus soon.
“It means a lot to me that he took time out of his day to come see me. It’s also reassuring that Pitt and Coach Narduzzi still see me as a top quarterback prospect for them. It also shows that Coach Whipple does have a lot of interest in me as well.”
The question now is when does Salopek want to make his college decision? Does he jump on the offer from Pitt and stay home or see if he can boost his stock during his senior season? Of course, the risk to that is if Salopek really wants to get there, but waits to decide and another quarterback commits before he does announces, he could lose his opportunity.
“Coach Whipple didn’t specifically say how many QBs they are planning on taking,” said Salopek. “But I’d imagine that they will only take one as most schools do. As a player, I like when a school only takes one because it shows that they are fully committed and have complete confidence in that one guy versus taking two. It comes off as not being completely sure about a kid. Pitt is definitely a school that I am considering.”
Whipple has a long history of having success with quarterbacks in both college and the NFL, which is something that’s important to any player, and Salopek is no exception.
“Coach Whipple obviously has a great track record with coaching quarterbacks,” he said. “From hearing about his offense, I see myself fitting in pretty well and would love to learn from him in the future.”
