Pitt FB Recruiting
Georgia LB Preston Lavant Commits to Pitt
Georgia linebacker Preston Lavant has committed to Pitt, he announced on Twitter on Sunday, making him the 10th player in the Panthers’ Class of 2021.
Lavant, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside linebacker from Crisp County High School in Cordele, Georgia chose Pitt over fellow finalists Louisville and Minnesota. In addition to his finalists, Lavant also held offers from Akron, Appalachian State, Austin Peay, East Carolina, Georgia State, Nebraska, Southern Miss and West Virginia.
“It’s really hard to get a feel for people just talking over the phone and really understand what they’re real mindset is but I really felt true love from the Pitt coaching staff,” Lavant said to Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I knew that they were a staff that really wanted me on their team with them in Pittsburgh. I truly felt and appreciated how much they wanted me.
“I can tell you that I talked with their coaches everyday. It’s almost as if they were in the house with me and the amount of time I spent talking with them. I talked to them more than members of my own family because I don’t see them everyday. I’m also hearing their voice on the phone and seeing them on FaceTime. I already started calling them my coaches and got really used to them.”
Despite making this news official on Sunday, Lavant alerted the Pitt coaches last week his future plans of wanting to become a Pitt Panther.
“Last Sunday, we were talking about a commitment date and throwing things out there,” said Lavant. “I told them that other coaches have been asking me if I had to commit to a team right now, who would it be? I was honest with them and told them Pittsburgh. Right then is when I knew I wanted to commit to Pitt and that’s what I did.”
A consensus three-star prospect, Lavant is rated as the No. 94 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 94 player in the state of Georgia, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings.
He’s the 10th player to commit to Pitt in the class, and the first linebacker. Pitt will be replacing projected starters Phil Campbell III and Chase Pine following the 2020 season. The future Pitt linebacker has a message to Pitt fans on the type of player they’ll be watching at Heinz Field.
“The Pitt football team is getting one of the best players in the classroom and also one of the best players on the field,” Lavant said. “My mindset changes in both of those areas because between the white lines I’m a beast and outside the white lines I’m a kind person. The thing I’ll be bringing most to the Pitt team is my dominance in blitzing. I’m a dog that gets the ball.”
The rest of Pitt’s class includes quarterback Nate Yarnell, running back Rodney Hammond, wide receivers Myles Alston and Jaden Bradley, offensive linemen Marco Fugar and Terrence Rankl, defensive ends Nahki Johnson and Trevion Stevenson and safety Javon McIntyre.
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