Following Big Weekend, Pitt Football Makes Major Jump in National Recruiting Rankings

Pitt’s history of having recruiting success in the month of June continued this weekend as six players made verbal commitments to Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers.

While on their official visits to Pitt, WR Kenny Johnson, DB Shelton Lewis, DE Antonio Camon, DT Isaiah Neal, DB Brice Pollock and DB Shadarian Harrison all decided to end their recruiting and give their verbal pledge to the ACC Champions.

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This was the most verbal commitments that Pitt has gotten over a two-day span since June 16-17, 2018, when seven players gave them commitments: RB Vincent Davis, LB Brandon George, Brandon Hill, QB Davis Beville, DE Deandre Jules, DE Bryce Nelms and DT Calijah Kancey.

As has been the case over the last few years, Pitt was able to win recruiting battles over a number of quality programs. Here were just some of the offers that the six newest Panthers held when deciding to commit to Pitt.

3-star WR Kenny Johnson (York, PA): Offers from Penn State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Minnesota, Louisville, Cincinnati and Boston College. Johnson was considered by all recruiting services as a heavy lean towards Penn State before this weekend and had an official visit scheduled there on June 24. Major credit to Tiquan Underwood for the recruitment of Johnson.

3-Star DB Shelton Lewis (Stockbridge, GA): Offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Purdue and Vanderbilt. Archie Collins led the recruitment of Lewis.

3-Star DE Antonio Camon (Tampa, Florida): Offers from Penn State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Rutgers, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Maryland, Louisville, Kentucky, Iowa State, Florida State and Boston College.

3-Star DT Isaiah Neal (Baltimore, Maryland): Offers from West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Rutgers, Ohio State, Northwestern, NC State, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Michigan, Maryland, Louisville, and Boston College. Charlie Partridge led the recruiting and was a big factor in landing Neal.

3-Star DB Brice Pollock (Snellville, Georgia): Offers from Penn State, West Virginia, Wake Forest, Central Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Kansas State. Archie Collins led the recruitment of Lewis.

3-Star CB Shadarian Harrison (Lakeland, Florida): Offers from West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Oregon State, Nebraska, Louisville, Iowa State, Illinois and Colorado. Cory Sanders and Archie Collins formed strong relationships with Harrison.

With eight players now in their Class of 2023, not surprisingly, Pitt made a major jump in the national recruiting rankings with Rivals and 247 Sports. With Rivals, Pitt jumped all the way from No. 78 up to No. 22. With 247 Sports, Pitt is now at No. 20.

247 Sports Football Recruiting Rankings (June 5)

1) Notre Dame (240.43 points)
2) Texas Tech (209.72 points)
3) Penn State (197.31 points)
4) Ohio State (191.70 points)
5) Northwestern (188.13 points)
…
17) Oregon (126.45)
18) Minnesota (116.45)
19) TCU (112.53)
20) PITT (112.12)

Rivals Football Recruiting Rankings (June 5)

1) Notre Dame (1802 points)
2) Texas Tech (1752 points)
3) Penn State (1219 points)
4) Ohio State (1196 points)
5) Northwestern (1185 points)
…
16) West Virginia (718 points)
17) Colorado (705 points)
18) Oregon (644 points)
19) Texas (623 points)
20) Texas A&M (621 points)
21) Michigan State (617 points)
22) PITT (615 points)