Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Adds Speed with 2022 Texas 3-Star Athlete Che Nwabuko
Pitt has received a commitment from a player they’ve coveted and worked hard to recruit for many months, as Texas three-star athlete Che Nwabuko has committed to the Panthers.
Nwabuko informed Brenan Marion and Pat Narduzzi that he wanted to join the Panthers program and gave them a commitment before leaving Pittsburgh from his official visit weekend d
Nwabuko, who’s from Manor, Texas, becomes the second player from Texas in Pitt’s Class of 2022, joining linebacker/safety Marquan Pope, who committed Saturday.
Pitt has made it a point this year to recruit more speed to their program and they accomplished that goal with Nwabuko, who’s possess elite speed and is a state champion in track. Nwabuko committed to Pitt over other offers from Air Force, Kansas, Liberty, Marshall, Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Old Dominion and Purdue.
Before hopping on his plane flight back to Texas, Nwakuko spoke with Pittsburgh Sports Now about his decision and what sold him on Pitt.
“Just being around the Pitt staff and seeing their facilities in person, it was just a great, great experience to go through and it really just pulled me in after being here,” said Nwakuko. “This official visit was way, way more than I thought and expected it would be. It really blew me out of the water. Honestly, I thought Pittsburgh was some old, rundown place, steel mills, but I was wrong and it was a whole different experience than I was expecting it to be.
“One of the biggest things that sold me on Pitt and made my decision final was hearing and seeing about all the people they put in the NFL. All of the things that those players accomplished in college, awards that they won and I believe that I could accomplish those type of things at Pitt too.”
Major credit goes to Marion for all the work he put in to identify Nwakuko as a prospect and then to get him interested enough to make a visit from Texas up to Pittsburgh. The bond he created with his future position coach was a key factor in Nwakuko’s decision.
“Man, Coach Marion is my dude. He was so cool to be around and I loved being around him this weekend, Nwakuko said. “Same with Coach Narduzzi, they are both coaches with so much energy and excitement and they’re also both great people.
“I first told Coach Marion about my decision and he was really excited. We didn’t put anything out there until I told Coach Narduzzi today. He was obviously very excited when I told him, too.”
“I’m in my zone…” #CNtime
* 7 games in 2020
• 42 catches – 700 yards receiving
• 44 rushes – 471 rushing yards
• 1,272 all purpose yards
• 91 total touches
• 9 TDs
• 181.7 yards per game
• 13.97 yards per touchHudl 🔗: https://t.co/1QetSwKnQf pic.twitter.com/pSRln6taEu
— Che Nwabuko 📍 (@CheNwabuko1) December 10, 2020
As far as where Nwakuko will play in college, it’ll be a lot like his current role in high school as he’ll be used as both a slot receiver, running back and a returner on special teams.
“I’m going to be a slot receiver but really, they’re going to put me everywhere,” he said. “They’ll put me in the backfield and find ways to get me the ball. I’m ready to do a lot in the offense.”
Hail to Pitt!!