Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Makes the Cut for 2022 5-Star Defensive End Gabriel Dindy
The fact that Pitt’s Class of 2021 is ranked in the top 20 is speaks to how good of a job Pat Narduzzi and his assistants are doing recruiting.
And here’s more evidence. One of the overall top ten ranked players in the Class of 22 has included the Pitt in his top 11.
2022 5-star defensive end Gabriel Dindy (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) from Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida has narrowed his impressive list of offers down to Pitt, Florida, USC, Ohio State, LSU, Oklahoma, Clemson, Texas A&M, Nebraska, South Carolina and South Florida.
How highly regarded is Dindy? 247 Sports ranks him as the second ranked defensive lineman in the country and the fifth best overall player in the Class of 2022. ESPN lists Dindy as a 5-star recruit and the No. 6 player in the country.
👀🛫 pic.twitter.com/39PzcH8Qs2
— Gabriel Dindy (@DindyGabriel) September 26, 2020
Regardless of the final outcome, it says something about Pitt’s staff that they’ve been able to make an impact on this elite prospect. Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Dindy on Wednesday morning to get his thoughts on Pitt.
“Narrowing down my schools was definitely harder considering I wasn’t able to meet some of these coaches in person and see how they really are,” Dindy told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “Plus, not being able to go to these places and see them in person made it harder and just being able to do it through FaceTime.”
“Because of this, the biggest factor I used in making this decision was my relationship with the coaching staffs. I looked at how they treated and interacted with me through our conversations and how they tried to get to know me as a person and not just a football player. Also, something else was the plan that some of these programs had for me not just as a player but through education and life after football.”
When talking with the coaches at Pitt, another particular thing they were able to show Dindy is how their defensive scheme highlights the skills of their defensive lineman and the recent Panthers in or heading to the NFL.
“For sure, I see how they continue to put players in the league and that’s something I like,” said Dindy. “They’ve proven that they know how to work with and develop players and put them in a position to make them a big part of the team. Pitt is a place that produces great players.”
— Gabriel Dindy (@DindyGabriel) December 4, 2019
During the 2019 season at Lakeland, Dindy collected 11.5 sacks, 29.5 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. Dindy tells PSN that he considers his biggest on-field strength to be his ability to get off the edge and to the quarterback.
“As far as when I’m going to make a final decision, my family and I are still discussing that. We’re just trying to see how things play out. Things haven’t gotten too overwhelming yet so we’re just letting things play out until things get overwhelming. Right now, we’re not really stressing on making a decision.”
Since Narduzzi became head coach, Pitt has recruited well at Lakeland High School landing 4-star defensive tackle Keyshon Camp, 4-star running back A.J. Davis and 3-star cornerback Damarri Mathis.
Land him! This guy could be what finally puts Pitt back on the long-term path of success.