2024 South Dakota Tight End Jett Zabel Picks Up First D-I Offer From Pitt

Pitt’s recruiting search to land a 2024 tight end has taken them all around the country.

Over the last couple of months, the Panthers have scouted and offered players from different places from their normal recruiting territories like Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Florida and Georgia.

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Tim Salem, Frank Cignetti, Jr. and Pat Narduzzi have extended offers to junior tight ends in Michigan, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, California and added a new state to that list today.

Following a conversation with Salem, Jett Zabel from Pierre, South Dakota, announced that he’d received an offer from Pitt, which is his first Division I offer.

Zabel (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) is a four-sport athlete at Pierre High School, as he also plays baseball and basketball and is a member of the track team, where he runs the 100-meter dash.

Following his talk with Salem, Pittsburgh Sports Now caught up with Zabel to get his initial thoughts on his big news.

After a great talk with @CoachTimSalem I am blessed to announce that I have received my first offer from @Pitt_FB #H2P pic.twitter.com/8ehiuerizF

— Jett Zabel (@JettZabel23) March 1, 2023

“It’s exciting to get the ball rolling. Everyone has been great supporters throughout this whole process and can’t thank everyone enough,” said Zabel. “I was surprised but me and Coach Salem have been talking for a little bit and built up a pretty solid relationship on the phone.

“We just talked about my family, him coming to watch me pitch for baseball this spring or summer, and the logistics. He really liked my family and their genetics and he also really liked my athleticism and play-making ability.”

Last season, a season in which his team won the South Dakota state championship and he was named an all-state performer, Zabel caught 54 passes for 842 yards and 13 touchdowns.

12-0 STATE CHAMPIONS💍
842 Receiving Yards
13 Touchdowns
54 Receptions
All-State
All-Conference https://t.co/HiBw9XeARF

— Jett Zabel (@JettZabel23) November 30, 2022

“I would say my strengths as a player are catching the ball, route running, and making plays in open space,” said Zabel.

Zabel tells PSN that he’s in the middle of basketball season, in which his team is trying to win another state title. In fact, Pierre High School has won six consecutive state championships.

Once basketball is over, Zabel will start focusing on making recruiting trips and traveling out to Pittsburgh is a definite possibility.