4-Star DE Jalen Thompson Impressed with Pitt Heading into Visit

Thanks to on-field production and a tremendous job of recruiting, the Pitt coaching staff has done a great job of reloading the talent on the defensive line.

In their last few recruiting classes, the Pitt coaches have been able to sign highly-rated and highly-recruited talent such as four-star defensive end Samuel Okunlola, four-star defensive end Jimmy Scott, three-star defensive tackle Sean FitzSimmons, four-star defensive tackle Elliot Donald, four-star defensive end Nahki Johnson and four-star defensive end Dayon Hayes.

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The trend of adding elite defensive line talent continued on Monday when sophomore four-star defensive tackle Jahsear Whittington announced an early commitment to Pitt.

Because of the importance that defensive line has in their scheme, Pitt is on a constant mission to add as much defensive line help as possible.

Wednesday could be another important recruiting day for Pitt, as they’ll host one of their top defensive targets in the Class of 2023.

Cass Tech four-star defensive end Jalen Thompson is making the drive from Detroit to Pittsburgh for an unofficial visit. Credit Archie Collins for the recruitment of Thompson and getting him to Pittsburgh for a visit.

Thompson (6’4″, 245) is rated by Rivals as one of the Top 20 defensive ends in the country and the No. 179 overall recruit. Thompson holds 30+ offers, including ones from Pitt, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, USC, Notre Dame, Tennessee and West Virginia. Thompson cut down his long list of offers to a Top Ten in February (no order)- Pitt, Penn State, Arkansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, USC, Cincinnati, Georgia and Vanderbilt.

Jr Szn Tape…

30 tackles, 12 tfl, 10 sacks 30 +
pressures https://t.co/divEpYn3lH pic.twitter.com/F4Y0exLXCu

— Jalen Thompson ✞ (@__4jalen) December 1, 2021

Prior to his first extensive visit of Pitt, Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke today with Thompson to get his pre-visit thoughts on catching up with Collins and learning more about the ACC Champions.

“I’ve already got a really good vibe with the Pitt coaches and stuff,” said Thompson. “I’m really going to be seeing and concentrating on what the atmosphere is like there, see what the players are like and what the overall atmosphere is like at Pitt. I want to try and get a feel for what the overall program is like in person.”

The Pitt staff, led by Collins, has worked hard on getting Thompson to see Pittsburgh in person which they believe could and will allow him to gain a true appreciation for Pitt.

“Every time he (Collins) comes up here, he tells me how great it is to see me but that I really want to get you on campus so that you really see what it’s like. He said everyone has their own opinion but it’s really hard to tell unless you’re there in person. This is going to really be important for me so that I can tell if I’m going to consider them.”

Thompson told PSN that a couple of the things that have impressed him about Pitt are how welcoming they’ve been along with the seriousness in which they’ve consistently recruited him.

It could be key that Pitt is getting Thompson to visit because he says he plans on cutting down his Top 10 soon and could be making a final decision in the near future.