Pitt Jumps Into the Recruiting Chase for Fast-Rising 3-Star TE/LB Cameron Clark

Every college program tries to expand its recruiting territory with the long-term goal of being able to bring in talented players from different states.

Since the hiring of Frank Cignetti Jr. and Jonathan DiBiaso last year, Pitt has attempted to move their brand to the central part of the country and to the West Coast.

In their most recent recruiting class, Pitt signed two players from California: three-star quarterback Ty Dieffenbach (Agoura, California) and three-star wide receiver Israel Polk (Bellflower, California). For the longest time, it looked as though they landed a player from Tennessee until four-star quarterback Kenny Minchey de-committed late and signed with Notre Dame.

Over the last few months, the Pitt staff has offered a number of players from different states in different recruiting territories and continues to gain a footprint in Tennessee.

This past weekend, Tim Salem spoke with and extended an offer to 2024 three-star tight end/linebacker Cameron Clark from South Gibson High School in Medina, Tennessee. Gibson (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) has seen his recruitment explode recently as he now holds Power Five offers from Duke, Louisville, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State, Purdue, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.

“My relationship and communication with Pitt started very recently,” Clark told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “Coach Salem called me earlier last week and we continued to communicate. He then called again and that’s when he offered me.

“Our conservation began as we were talking about the school, what Pitt can offer me both on and off the field. Then we started talking about me being a two-way player and how Pitt is a great school for producing NFL players on both sides of the ball. Year in and year out, Pitt has players that can produce at a high level on both sides of the ball. The past four years, they’ve been in the top three of college football in sacks and that’s a big thing. Coach Salem was mainly looking at me as a tight end but knows that I can also play linebacker and said both sides of the ball are definitely an option for me. That was really important for me.”

Clark excels on both sides of the ball and different schools vary on where they’d like to play him. What does Clark think, and which position does he think he’d excel at in college?

“I’ve always been comfortable playing either side of the ball, but I do feel a little more natural on defense,” said Clark. “But honestly, I feel like I can play either side of the ball and am willing to do so. I’ll play wherever I’m needed and would be comfortable doing so.”

Check out my highlight – https://t.co/HQAJeStUKL

— Cameron Clark (@CamClark35_) October 23, 2022

Due to his location and with the relationship just beginning, Clark doesn’t know a ton about Pitt but tells PSN he’s very eager to start learning and will find out a lot when he makes an upcoming visit.

“The offer from Pitt is a very special offer. One thing I learned and feel that it’s so cool that players at Pitt are able to practice and be associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s definitely cool to practice on the same fields as they do, eat in the same area with them and get to hang out with them. I was so excited about getting the call and the offer from Pitt and am looking forward to getting up there for a visit so I can learn more about them.

“Right now, I feel truly blessed to be in this position,” said Clark. “With all of the work that I’ve put in over the years, I’m just glad people have recognized it and it’s paying off. I’ve always dreamed of being in this position and wasn’t sure when these types of offers would be coming in but now that it’s happening, I honestly feel truly blessed.”

Clark tells PSN that he will have a busy couple of months ahead as he intends on making as many spring visits as possible.

Courtesy Cameron Clark

”I haven’t determined an exact date yet, but Pitt will definitely be one of them. I also plan to visit Mississippi State, Mississippi, Virginia Tech, Duke, Notre Dame and Vandy.”

At this point, Clark would like to make his college decision before the start of his senior season.