Forming a early relationship with a high school recruit and being one of the first to show faith in him by offering a scholarship can be important factors when it comes time for that player to make his college decision.
The Pitt Panther staff is hoping that’s the case with a junior quarterback that officially received an offer from them Thursday night. For Davin Wydner it wasn’t just another offer, it was his first Power 5 offer.
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Wydner is originally from New Jersey but moved to Georgia when he was 13 years old. Following controversy around his football program at Islands High School in Savannah, Georgia, Wydner and his family felt it was in his best interest to relocate and he relocated to Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, Florida.
To this point, things are working out for Wydner as earlier this week he picked up his first two offers (Princeton and Florida Atlantic) and received the news from Pitt last night from Tim Salem.
“Coach Salem and I have been talking regularly for a month now and the process lately has moved along really, really well,” said Wydner. “When he finally dropped the news it was like a surreal feeling to get an offer in the ACC with all those great schools and from a school that has a quarterback like they do right now. To think that I could be one of those one day is definitely a blessing and I was really grateful to get it.”
Courtesy of Davin Wydner
“When offering a player, Pitt has a grading scale like many other programs do. Coach Salem really went into depth about it and said that I’m a player that sitting at the top of their board so there’s no better time to offer and try and catch me early in my recruiting process and they want to be with my early throughout my recruiting process.”
When talking about Pitt getting in early, I asked Wydner is that something important to him and something he will even remember, 6 months for a year from now?
“Yes, for sure. That’s something that’s always going to be in the back of my mind especially from a great program like Pitt,” said Wydner. “I used to live up North so it definitely means something to me that I could possibly have a chance to play in front of my family and relatives back home. With the great conference that Pitt plays in along with their football program and the great university, this offer will definitely be something I will remember.”
Wydner is a big kid that has touch on his passes and can make all the throws on the field. In 4 games this season, he’s 90-141 for 1,348 yards and 10 TD passes.
https://twitter.com/davinwydner/status/1315046945535258625?s=21
“My stature helps being 6’5″, 215 pounds helps from an eye perspective. I’m still growing into my body, but for my size, I move pretty well and know where everyone is coming from and do a good job of being able to extend plays. I’m not a burner but I think I can run when I need to and get the job done. I do a good job of trusting my receivers of where they’re going to be. I like to think that I throw people open, I don’t just throw when they’re open, I like to throw sometime even when they’re covered, depending on the ball placement.”
“I also like to be that vocal voice,” said Wydner. “No one likes someone that just talks and doesn’t follow up with it by producing on the field. Being in this new program, during these first 4 weeks I’ve really tried to put my foot down and get the job done physically but also make sure all my teammates around me know what I’m thinking and how I feel. I just want to do a good job of trying to be a leader for my team.”
Wydner becomes the 8th quarterback in the Class of 2022 to receive an offer from Pitt.
Tim Salem is hopefully long gone by then. Kid isn’t ranked and had a big visit to FSU and Norvell’s offense. Tough one here.