Farrell Files: Pitt Big Men Visits and 2023 OL

In this Farrell Files Pitt edition I’ll look at some recent recruiting news and break down the 2023 OL class.

The 2024 class is three deep for Pitt with RB Juelz Goff joining and I broke him down in the last one. I’m not saying these guys will be next but a few interesting prospects took recent visits.

Ohio DT Francis Brewu is a recent visitor and offer and he loves Pitt. The undersized DT stands 6-3 so he has a good frame to grow on but he’s around 265 pounds. He’s a student of the game and knows what Pitt has done with DTs and especially one undersized guy out of high school in Aaron Donald years ago. And now with Calijah Kancey getting a first round grade Pitt becomes more attractive. Brewu is taller and longer than both Donald and Kancey but needs to fill out.

However, he sees himself as a 285 pound end with speed and agility who can rush the passer and likes the way Pitt DTs have been utilized. Boston College, Duke, Iowa State, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Kent State, Miami (OH), Ohio, Toledo and Western Michigan have offered and of course he’s hoping for the big boys like Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame but those are unlikely. I can say with confidence Pitt has the edge here.

Another Ohio DL is Angelo McCullom whose lone Power Five offer is from Pitt. He visited recently as well and while he has a ton of MAC offers Pitt clearly stands out. He’s undersized for an interior lineman as well at 6-3 and 260 but could play end or grow into a DT so his versatility is attractive.

PA OL Rico Steele was on campus again recently and while he doesn’t have an offer one is likely to come soon. He’s 6-4 and 290 pounds and his dad is the head coach at his WPIAL school at West Mifflin so connections are strong. His father has sent numerous players to Pitt over the years and has a strong relationship with OL coach Dave Borbely. Akron, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Toledo have offered so far and I expect Pitt to be his first Power Five offer this spring. This will likely come down to West Virginia, Syracuse, Boston College and Pitt if they all offer and Pitt would have the clear advantage.

Speaking of the OL, this class in 2023 is small and not highly rated. So Pitt is taking a chance on a few kids to develop further. The best is Ryan Carretta from Ohio who stands 6-5 and 320 and is massive. He had some nice offers based on his size from schools like Purdue, Michigan State and Kentucky so he’s a clear Power Five kid. He’s a road grader right now with some footwork issues to work on so he’ll need a year to add athleticism and quickness but he’s a monster in size and could play inside as well.

Tai Ray from Florida is a great looking kid at 6-5 and 280 with a great winsgspan. He’s more fluid than Carretta and more athletic but not as strong or powerful. He hails from a big time school in Florida (Apopka) and will also be given time to develop. Indiana was his best other offer.

The true wildcard is OG BJ Williams from Georgia. He was committed to Memphis and not recruited by Power Five schools except for Pitt who saw good feet and a frame to build on at 6-4 and 270. He’s athletic as well but raw and really needs technique work. He’s a project of sorts but a good one and Borbely really liked his work ethic and film.

The hope is that two of these three pan out as with the portal you can’t count on all staying and developing. But if they can get an OT and an interior lineman out of this they’ll be happy.