Die-Hards: Who’s Up Next in Pitt’s Offensive Line Pipeline?

What do Pitt’s class of 2017 and class of 2023 have in common? Both classes landed commitments from five offensive linemen. What does Pitt want the two classes to have in common? The level of impact those offensive linemen have in Pittsburgh.

Carter Warren, Owen Drexel and Gabe Houy all committed to Pitt as part of the 2017 recruiting class, rising the ranks to start together last season and providing the foundation upfront this season. With three-star BJ Williams’s commitment Friday, he became Pitt’s fifth offensive line in the 2023 recruiting class, and Pitt will hope he can reach the level of the aforementioned trio.

The trio of Drexel, Houy and Warren are all entering the final seasons at Pitt, and with fellow starter Marcus Minor also entering his second and final season, next season’s offensive line will look drastically different even if Jake Kradel decides to return for his final season of eligibility.

The five offensive linemen landed in this class will likely not have too much of an impact right off the bat, likely spending the 2023 season in Pitt’s offensive line room with Dave Borbely and in the Aaron Donald Football Performance Center, but if three can emerge as multi-season starters, that’s another win.

So, who exactly could be in line to start entering the 2023 season with so many holes along the line?