Pitt FB Recruiting
A Look Into Pitt’s Defensive Line Pipeline Over Last Few Recruiting Cycles
The job that Charlie Partridge has done at Pitt is nothing short of remarkable. In every aspect of his responsibilities.
Pitt lost Calijah Kancey, Habakkuk Baldonado, Deslin Alexandre and John Morgan after the 2022 season, but somehow, there isn’t all that much of a concern when looking at the defensive line depth entering the 2023 season.
There’s a chance that Nahki Johnson and Elliot Donald earn starting spots along the line entering the 2023 season, start the entire season and still have two seasons of eligibility remaining. And they’re not considered part of the young corps.
Pitt has recruited the defensive line heavily over the last few seasons, landing at least three defensive linemen in each of the last five classes, and that depth is emerging on the field and continuing to grow in each recruiting cycle.
Pitt landed a commitment from 2024 three-star defensive tackle Francis Brewu Wednesday, adding the third defensive line commit to the class — all before the calendar turns to April.
That’s nine defensive linemen added over the last three recruiting classes, and while the class of 2024 is still months away from signing, there’s some serious high-impact talent in place.
Let’s take a look at just who Pitt has added on the defensive line.
CLASS OF 2022
Jimmy Scott (DE), Samuel Okunlola (DE), Sean FitzSimmons (DT)
This is a class that has the chance to be special — really, really special.
I mean, Okunlola and FitzSimmons arrived last winter as early enrollees, and their praise from both the coaching staff and their older teammates was almost instantaneous. They each played in just a game this season, FitzSimmons against Rhode Island and Okunlola against Virginia, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see both make an impact in 2023.
Scott didn’t see the field in 2022, arriving as a mid-year guy, but he wasn’t immune to the heavy praise earned by defensive linemen in the class of 2022.
“I’m happy with (Sean) FitzSimmons certainly,” Partridge said in November. “He takes everything really seriously, and that’s why he’s getting better. Sam Okunlola has tremendous twitch, and he takes things extremely seriously – he loves to learn. Jimmy Scott has Pat Jones type of traits, I’m not comparing him to Pat Jones, but he’s got some things that remind me of Pat.”Â
FitzSimmons and Scott both arrived with impressive strength and power, according to Marcus Minor. And Okunlola has a level of speed and quickness uncommon for a player with his level of inexperience at the college level. Even Calijah Kancey has praised Okunlola’s get-off speed, labeling him as someone to watch going forward.
I expect all three to make an impact in 2023, to some extent, and certainly beyond.
CLASS OF 2023
Isaiah Neal (DT), Antonio Camon (DE), Maverick Gracio (DE)
Neal is wearing 97. That should be all you need to hear.
The last Pitt player to wear that number was Jaylen Twyman. Aaron Donald wore it before him. It’s a massive burden to shoulder, but if anyone can do it, it’s Neal.
He’s been around for one spring practice, and he’s already earned praise from Jake Kradel. Pat Narduzzi would be shocked if he’s not eventually a captain. This is a guy whose future is immeasurably bright. And he’s just one-third of the class.
Camon and Gracio haven’t arrived at Pitt yet, but they’re a pair of defensive ends with serious potential. I like Camon’s ability as a pass rusher from an inside and outside position, and I think he’s suited well to line up outside.
Gracio was one of the last commits in the class of 2023, flipping from Kent State, but he’s someone who caught Partridge’s eye.
CLASS OF 2024
Jahsear Whittington (DT), Ty Yuhas (DE), Francis Brewu (DT)
Whittington has been committed to Pitt longer than all three of Pitt’s defensive line signees in the class of 2023, which just goes to show his level of commitment. He’s a four-star in-state kid with as much potential as any of the nine listed here.
Yuhas committed recently, continuing the WPIAL pipeline, and he’s a high-motor linebacker who just recently made the switch to lineman. Brewu is the newest of the bunch, but he’s another in the mold of Donald, Twyman and Calijah Kancey — an undersized dynamo.
It’s a group with two stud defensive tackles, both who fit the mold recent success stories, and a versatile lineman who has the potential to play inside and outside.
