Pitt has loaded up on recruits in the class of 2024 early, with eight verbal commits before the calendar turns to April, and it’s clear the defensive line is a priority.
Zachary Crothers — a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end from Chaminade-Madonna High in Hollywood, Florida — is just the latest to pledge himself to Pitt, committing via Twitter Monday.
Crothers officially committed to Pitt over offers from Akron, Appalachian State, Bowling Green, Brown, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Indiana, Liberty, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon State, Toledo, USF and Western Michigan.
The relationship between Crothers and Pitt really kicked off back on Jan. 31 when Charlie Partridge extended his offer, and it’s progressed rapidly since. He made a visit to Pitt’s spring practice session Thursday, checking out the facilities and meeting with the coaching staff for the first time.
It may be a diamond-in-the-rough commitment for Pitt as Crothers’ recruiting process — which featured visits to Florida State and Pitt in March — really blew up in late January. He didn’t receive his first offer until Jan. 23, and he’s received a lot of interest — and offers — since then.
As a two-year starter at powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna, helping the Lions to an FHSAA state championship last season, he was able to use his blend of size and speed to wreak havoc in opposing backfields last season. He’s instinctual and has the kind of high motor that the Pitt coaching staff values.
Crothers led the charge off the defensive line last season, racking up 60 tackles (33 solo) and a team-high 24 tackles for loss and 15 sacks on the way to All-Conference honors.
The major recruiting outlets — 247Sports, Rivals and On3 — haven’t ranked Crothers in the class of 2024 yet, but that will change in the coming days and weeks. It’s honestly a surprise he wasn’t already ranked.
Crothers is the fourth defensive lineman added to Pitt’s class of 2024, joining four-star Jahsear Whittington, three-star Francis Brewu and three-star Ty Yuhas.
It’s a very, very strong (and very, very early) foundation to Pitt’s class. And it’s likely just only getting underway.
Amazing that Crothers isn’t ranked yet. Watch his tape. The guy is a beast. Welcome to thee consistently top-performing D-line in college football.