Maverick Gracio has been committed to Kent State since August, but a highlight-reel senior season has drawn out increased interest from Power Five programs.
Gracio, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound three-star defensive end from Cardinal Newman in West Palm Beach, Florida, made an official visit to Illinois in November, and now he has another lined up.
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Gracio told Pittsburgh Sports Now that after being re-offered by defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, he will be taking an official visit to Pitt over the weekend of Dec. 16. It will be his second visit to Pitt following a January visit to Pitt’s Junior Day.
With offers Illinois, Florida Atlantic, Purdue, Akron, Arkansas State, Appalachian State, and interest from Kentucky and North Carolina State, Gracio has flown under the radar. Which is surprising given his electric senior season.
Cardinal Newman put together an 11-1 season in 2022, eventually falling to Chaminade-Madonna in the FHSAA regional finals, but Gracio was a key piece.
The Kent State commit racked up 58 tackles (17 solo), 24 tackles for loss, 22 sacks (both team highs), two forced fumbles and a pass breakup this season. With excellent size and a powerful frame, and familiarity with Partridge, Gracio has become a late target for Pitt’s coaching staff.
247Sports rates Gracio as the 1,426th-ranked recruit in the class (117th-ranked edge rusher and 205th-ranked recruit from Florida) while On3 rates him as the 1,522nd-ranked recruit in the class (116th-ranked edge rusher and 207th-ranked recruit from Florida).
Rivals hasn’t ranked Gracio, but he does hold a 5.5 Rivals Rating.
Pitt’s current 2023 class holds verbal commitments from two defensive linemen, but of three-star defensive linemen Isaiah Neal (Baltimore, Maryland) and Antonio Camon (Tampa, Florida), only Camon is an edge rusher.
oh boy, last minute desperation and trying to flip Kent State commits…uugh
I have been observing your biased stupid comments for years now. I am sure you thought James Harrison, from Kent State , was not worthy.
thanks for the follow….so you are comparing him to James Harrison? OK Norm.
Don’t be mad at me, be mad at the recruiting of the pit staff. Coming off an acc championship and it’s all low 3* and calling up MAC commits to try and get some players. If you hope all low 3* can be “coached up” by duzz, you are sadly mistaken and why pitt is in this predicament. Some talent in a few starting positions but zero depth. Next year is going to be really rough.
Once again, thanks for the follow all these years and h2p!
You like the on campus showers at State Pen. don’t you?
I believe the story reported he had an electric senior year. Maybe he developed, matured. It does happen to young men. Maybe he grew as a player. You’re in such a rush to be negative I think you merely glance at headlines. Someone mentioned James Harrison. Didn’t Jack Lambert attend Kent? Respectfully speaking.
Charlie Partridge knows pots when he see’s it.
You never had the makings of a varsity athlete. If Pitt coaches like him, thats enough for me.
that’s classic
Your sir name alone shows how out of touch with reality that you are. There are quality athletes entering the transfer portal every day. I expect Pitt to be very active, as they were recruiting some of them previously. I can see a situation were Pitt can improve themselves dept wise.
Another comment garbling the English language. Moron