Pitt FB Recruiting
After Long Wait, 2021 Athlete James Ziglor III Lands Pitt Offer
James Ziglor III and the Pitt coaching staff have been talking for quite sometime but Pat Narduzzi and company never extended an offer.
That changed on Friday night as Archie Collins informed Ziglor that they were extending him an opportunity to play at Pitt.
Ziglor (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), a 2021 athlete from Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, told Pittsburgh Sports Now that he was excited to finally get the word from Pitt.
”I was very excited and very happy because Coach Collins and I have been in contact for 8 months so it’s been a while,” said Ziglor. “He came up to see me during the football season and have been in contact ever since. He told me that he’s been watching me over the last couple of years, as I first met him when I was a sophomore. I wouldn’t say that I expected it but he has been egging me on and giving me some hints about it.”
Since they’ve been talking for so long, what changed that Pitt finally came through with the offer?
”He explained to me that they liked everything they saw on film with me but they wanted to see my character and get the chance to know me more as a young man,” he said. “He told me that he really liked what he saw and thought that I was a good young man and person. He knows that I’ll do whatever the team wants and that I’m a really hard worker and good in the classroom.”
In terms of what position Ziglor can play, the answer to that is basically anywhere on offense and defense. Last season for the 2019 AAAAAA Georgia State Champions, he collected 1,289 total yards, 12 TD’s, 21 tackles, 3 tackle for losses, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 punt block and 1 kickoff return for a touchdown.
”I call myself an athlete and I can do anything in my opinion,” said Ziglor. “They offered me on the defensive side of the ball and I’m happy with that. Really, whatever they’d want me to do, I’ll do. If they want me to be a kicker, I’ll be the best kicker Pitt has had.”
Prior to yesterday’s news, Ziglor held offers from Akron, Western Carolina, Kentucky, East Carolina, Liberty, Georgia State, Kent State, UCF, Toledo, South Florida, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Indiana. How does the Pitt offer change his recruiting?
”I’ve recently started to think about my top schools and now that they’ve offered, they’re going to be on that list,” said Ziglor. “I didn’t have any plans to commit somewhere soon. I originally was going to maybe do something in June or July but due to the current health situation, things might be pushrd back. I’m not sure and am waiting for things to get back to normal times.”
Ziglor currently doesn’t have any plans set to do a virtual tour of Pitt but said he hopes to be able to do one soon.
