Pitt FB Recruiting
2024 3-Star TE Ryan Ward Building Relationship With Pitt, Visiting in the Spring
The Pitt football staff has actively been looking for a tight end or two to bring into their class of 2024 over the last couple of weeks, and they’ve extended offers to a number of juniors.
One of those players was Ryan Ward from Rutherford High School in Rutherford, New Jersey. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound tight end received the offer from Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, Jr. back on Jan. 27.
This past season, Ward had 35 receptions for 776 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also registering 4.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and an interception as a defensive end.
“I was informed by my coaches when I got the offer,” Ward told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I was ecstatic about it because Pitt was definitely one of the schools I’ve heard a lot of good things about. Right after, I got on a call with Coach Cignetti and he was talking to me about the history of Pitt and the three rivers. He was mentioning all the good stuff, and that he wanted me to come to a spring practice.
“I’m not too familiar with the Pitt football program, but I do know lots of great players have been developed there. The one thing that stands out to me about the program is that they share the facilities with the Steelers. I think it’s pretty cool and would be great to see that next level of football on the same field that I would practice on every day.”
Junior Year Highlights‼️35 Recs, 776 Yrds, 13 Tds❗️4.5 Sacks, 9 TFLs, 1 Pick 6❗️https://t.co/640Y5nj6bq
— Ryan Ward (@ryanward__1) November 15, 2022
“I would say that my strengths are my ability to beat guys in the receiving game and getting open downfield,” said Ward. “I have good ball skills and can make catches like a receiver. The coaches think that my style of play really fits their offense. Although I don’t have a lot of blocking film, I can block where needed.”
Pitt isn’t the only school that’s pursuing Ward as interest in him has picked up over the last few weeks. Along with Pitt, Ward also holds offers from West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, Syracuse, Kent State, Harvard, Yale, Temple, Boston College and Virginia.
“My recruiting has been going great so far,” Ward said. “It’s gonna be hard to just pick one school. What’s really gonna make my decision is when I get on all of these campuses and figure out which ones are the best for me. Hopefully, I have a home before next season so I can just focus on winning a state championship. That’s my ultimate goal before I leave high school.”
Ward is starting to come up with spring visits that he plans on making next month and is determining these visits on legitimate interest that he’s currently receiving from these various schools. He tells PSN that he’s already scheduled a visit to Pitt for March 18.
We wrapped up our communication by asking him where Pitt currently stands in his recruitment.
“Pitt is definitely amongst the top of my offers,” said Ward. “Coach Salem has been reaching out daily and really making an effort to connect with me. On top of that, the campus and school look amazing so I can’t wait to get there in the spring.”
He was blown away by the BC offer. Is that better? Princeton and Brown in the recruitment as well. He’s also not rated in 247, but that’s the pitt way
What’s your deal? Real close to getting banned.
Please do all he does is spew negativity
Yes, he needs to be censored Mike, ASAP!
taken care of
1st amendment, and you call yourself a journalist?
communist china now running the forums, so much for free speech and the 1st amendment
Look, O.C.S.P. was not fined, thrown in jail or executed (as far as I know)…he was merely banned from posting comments on a sports website.
First ammendment protects the right to free speech from government oppression, however, it does not extend to the private sector.
It is most certainly Mr Vukovcan’s right to act in the best interest of his enterprise by banning a poster that continues to irritate the vast majority of his loyal readers.
You should do some research before proclaiming your free speech was violated. Typical ped state grad.
Makes sense went to state penn
Oh look 🤡 2
He seems like a pretty good prospect reminds of Bart hopefully we can land him
This is a position of need like every year .. maybe this year they can come up with a couple.. HTP 💙💛