Two years ago, Pat Narduzzi and Rob Harley vigorously pursued Aliquippa four-star safety Kwantel Raines, but in the end he ended up signing with Dana Holgorsen and West Virginia.
Fast forward to 2019 and Raines is moving on from Morgantown as he announced Tuesday that he us transferring immediately.
Pittsburgh Sports Now talked with Raines about his decision to leave West Virginia and what’s next for him. Raines was very candid about both topics and said that he’s already been in touch with his hometown school once again.
“This decision to transfer was very hard,” Raines told PSN. “I was there for two years and I really liked it there, but I felt it was time to go.”
It’s been speculated that Raines left the West Virginia program because of not being a fit or having a true position in new defensive coordinator Vic Koenning’s defense, but Raines said that wasn’t the case.
“No, not at all,” he said. “I’ll just say that I have things going on at home so I really needed to get back here. I’d say that was the bigger reason.”
Raines is a redshirt freshman, so unless he gets waiver from the NCAA, he will have to sit the upcoming season and then have two seasons of athletic eligibility remaining.
This news just became official Tuesday, but Raines already has a school that he would be interested in transferring to, and in fact they received his first phone call.
“I reached out to Pitt already and if they reach back out to me and have interest, there’s a good chance that I’ll be there, but you never know if schools want you yet so we’ll see,” Raines said. “So I guess it’s all in their ballpark right now. That’s the only school that I’ve contacted, although I’ve had some schools reach out to me.
“It would be a blessing if they would offer me again but honestly, I’ve always treated every offer that I received as a blessing.”
Raines may be waiting on Narduzzi, but if it doesn’t work out with the Panthers, Raines is ready to get to work immediately at his new football home. He doesn’t want to take much time in making a decision.
“I want to get to a new school as soon as possible,” said Raines. “Whichever school reaches out to me and that I feel would be the best fit and that I want to go to, I’m going straight there. When I say straight there, I mean be there in January, be there start of the semester, get to work outs and get ready to work.”
I was disappointed he didnt sign with us initially, but as long as there is no smoke behind the scenes (e.g. academic or legal trouble), I would love to see hometown kids stay home.
I’ve gotten to know him and Kwantel is a great kid. This situation has “no smoke”. Would be a great addition to Pitt’s future defense if it happens.
And hes still waiting to hear from Pitt? You would think that return call would have happened quickly.
That’s not the way it works. Pitt was on the practice field, in the film room, team meeting rooms preparing for Boston College. That’s their priority this week. I have no idea what will happen but trust me, they’ll be in touch with him to talk.
Narduzzi is an oddball when it comes to these transfers. He embraces the Duds like Flannigan, Uluzio, the OT from Kent State, AJ Davis, etc. But you would think Narduzzi should have absolutely had this wrapped up 10 seconds after the kid reached out. I can’t stand Narduzzi and how he picks favorites and how he makes other kids Like Paris Ford and Chase Pine and Coleman wait and wait. Its a joke. I think PN is a very good recruiter, but I think his “favorites” get the treatment, and others that he holds back, it’s ridiculous. It really holds… Read more »
Hopefully Narduzzi doesn’t call back. Kid didn’t want to come to Pitt 2 years ago that was his choice. If he wants to go local Robert Morris or Duquesne
He was 18 at the time. He realized he made the wrong decision. We all make bad decisions. I think you may have made a few, too Andy. He is solid division one talent. Why would you not accept him? That is too vengeful and why spite yourself
Andy that is a dumb sentiment. Just not smart. Kids make decisions all the time, wrong decisions, but he’s reconsidered. I think he’s a solid player.