With Decision Looming, Where Would Naquan Brown Fit in Pitt’s Highest Rated Recruits Under Narduzzi?

Eyes from a few different college football fan bases across the country will be on Twitter tonight at 5:30 p.m. as one of the top defensive players in the country will make his decision.

Four-star DE/LB Naquan Brown from Virginia Beach, Virginia will make his college decision and will decide between six teams: Pitt, LSU, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Miami and Tennessee.

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Following the commitment of three-star tight end Trey Andersen, Rivals rates Pitt’s Class of 2021 as the No. 21 recruiting class in the country and a commitment from Brown would likely get them into the Top 20. The impressive part of Pitt’s current recruiting class is despite the solid ranking, Rivals only rates one of the Panthers current commitments as a four-star recruit. It’s a class full of players that are very high 3-star recruits and close to getting elevated to a four-star.

Does Pitt have a realistic chance at landing Brown?

From what I’m hearing, they’re not the favorite but have a better chance than most of the five other teams. Right now, it appears as though LSU is the favorite but Pitt and Virginia Tech shouldn’t be counted out. Virginia Tech has the hometown advantage while Pitt has Chris Beatty, the large group of Virginia recruits as well as a defense scheme that highlights pass rushers.

If Pitt were to land Brown, it would be a very large get for the program. In fact, Brown would be the highest rated recruit in this year’s class and one of the top rated recruits of the Pat Narduzzi era.

Based on national rankings at the time they graduated (or current ranking), these are the highest highest rated recruits of the Narduzzi Era per Rivals.

Paris Ford  #51 rated player, 4-star safety
Jordan Whitehead #75 rated player, 4-star safety
Damar Hamlin  #126 rated player, 4-star safety
Mychale Salahuddin #127 rated player, 4-star running back
Nahki Johnson #183 rated player, 4-star defensive end
Darrin Hall  #195 rated player, 4-star running back
George Hill  #221 rated player, 4-star athlete
Ruben Flowers  #225 rated player, 4-star wide receiver
A.J. Davis  #247 rated player, 4-star running back

**Naquan Brown is ranked #133, Elliot Donald is ranked #82