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The Pitt Panthers continue to draw official visits from some very impressive 2022 recruits.
Class of 2022 three-star running back Xavier Townsend tells Pittsburgh Sports Now that he will visit Pitt from June 3-5. The speedy back from Tampa Florida holds 20-plus offers including from programs such as Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers, Central Florida, Utah, Washington State and West Virginia.
Townsend (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) is an explosive athlete with breakaway speed and while he has the ability and hands to play either running back or as a slot receiver, Pitt is recruiting him as a running back.
“I’m extremely excited to get out and start making visits and although I’m able to go to places like UCF and South Florida which are right down the road, I haven’t been able to make visits to some schools that I’m interested in looking at,” said Townsend. “I can’t wait to get up to Pitt and meet the coaches in person and everything that they have to offer. I’m excited.
“Ever since they’ve offered me, they’ve really been on me hard. As I’ve talked to their coaches day in and day out, I’ve been able to build a strong relationship with them. I’m excited to see some of the things in person that they’ve shown me in Zoom interviews. I’m also excited about Pitt because of the way they’ve talked about using me. It was a no-brainer for me to make a visit to Pitt.”
Normally Andre Powell’s chief recruiting territory is the DMV but he’s been the man in charge of trying to get Townsend from Florida to Pitt.
“Really, we talk everyday,” says Townsend. “We have a good relationship and are getting closer everyday. He’s also built a good relationship with my parents and is just a good genuine guy that has my best interest in mind. He believes that I can do spectacular things for the Pitt program.”
“Pitt sees me as a dynamic playmaker. They want me in the backfield and from my film, they see that I can also split out wide out in the slot and run routes like a receiver. They have a couple power backs and want someone that can be a potential spark plug for the offense. I’m a homerun hitter as a back. When I get the ball in my hands, there’s a huge chance that a big play is going to happen. I’m elusive and can make you miss along with being able to outrun you but I also have some power to break some tackles too.”
Townsend said that one of the things that he’s most interested seeing in person are the Pitt facilities. Along with Pitt, Townsend said that he’s in touch the most with Louisville, Indiana, Central Florida, Iowa State and West Virginia. Although he’s been talking with a couple of other programs about scheduling a visit, Pitt is Townsend’s lone scheduled official visit at this time.
