Pitt FB Recruiting
2024 4-Star DL, UCF Commit Sincere Edwards’ Extended Visit Pushes Pitt to the Top of His Chase
Pitt has always been pretty high on Sincere Edwards’ list, but a few days in Pittsburgh this week have shown him that Pitt — in all aspects — is a place where he could thrive.
Edwards — 6-foot-1, 260-pound four-star defensive lineman from Wekiva High in Apopka, Florida who is currently committed to UCF — arrived in Pittsburgh Monday night, and it’s been an eye-opening experience since stepping on campus.
Even in just checking out the hills, the houses on the hills, the bridges, the charm of the city itself, he’s felt a great atmosphere. It’s the people, sure, but it’s the city itself, too. “It’s a really great place to be, in my opinion,” Edwards told PSN. But he’s done a lot more than just check out the city.
“I got to meet a guy that I look up to, which is Aaron Donald,” Edwards said. “I got to meet him; that was very cool. I also got to meet Calijah Kancey, and that was very cool. So, in meeting these Pitt legends, it was real fun and a great experience.
“It was a real fun (practice), and it was a good experience. I really enjoyed how high-intensity practice was — the defense completely dominated the offense, and it was one of the best practices — if not the best — I’ve ever went to so far.”
I will be at Pitt tomorrow! #H2P @CoachDuzzPittFB @CoachTimSalem @CoachPartridge pic.twitter.com/zCVODWNjbN
— 4⭐️ Sincere Edwards (@SincereEdwards0) April 3, 2023
The hospitality and energy he’s felt, from chopping it up with Donald for a few minutes, hearing him sing Pitt’s praises, to hanging out with Charlie Partridge and Tim Salem, has been constant. But if he had to pick just one highlight from his first two days in Pittsburgh, it’s been watching film with Partridge.
Unlike when Pitt brings in other recruits and breaks down team film, Edwards and Partridge studied his high school film. Partridge gave him pointers on what he was doing and constructive criticism to help him grow as a football player — in all aspects.
“He loves my versatility, how I can play both inside and three tech and edge, and that’s one thing he mentions,” Edwards said. “If I come here, I won’t be limited to just one position. I’ll be able to showcase my talent at end, tackle and wherever.”
The way that Partridge developed Kancey — the best Pitt defensive tackle since Donald — hasn’t been lost upon Edwards either. “If you look, me and Calijah pretty much have the same body type. I’m 6-1, 260, coming into college he was 6-foot, 250, so it’s about the same there.” The pair share very similar frames and very similar styles of play.
So, it’s a big factor for Edwards to consider when looking at the way Partridge developed Kancey — and the fact that Kancey is now a first-round candidate in the NFL Draft. But it isn’t just Partridge that draws Edwards.
“I love the way he coaches,” Edwards said. “And not only him; I wanna give credit to the whole defensive staff. The defensive coordinator. They have a plan, and they get the kids to buy into the plan. And they execute it very well, in my opinion.”
Partridge would be Edwards’ position coach though. So, their relationship is very close. It stems not just from the knowledge and the respect that he’s shown Edwards but the passion with which he coaches. As Edwards watched practice Tuesday, watched the defense record pick sixes and “a whole bunch of sacks,” Partridge was energetic.
“He celebrates with his kids, and that’s what I like,” Edwards said. “Some coaches won’t allow you to celebrate you at all, and not only does he allow his kids to celebrate briefly, he celebrates with them, too.”
If Edwards’ high school career is any indication, Partridge would be celebrating a lot if he were to eventually commit to Pitt.
As a junior at Wekiva, Edwards was one of the most disruptive forces in Florida high school ball. He recorded 78 tackles (48 solo), 27 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and recovered two fumbles. His blend of speed and power in a 260-pound frame is apparent.
Rivals rates Edwards as the 226th-ranked recruit in the class (16th-ranked strongside defensive end and 39th-ranked recruit from Florida) while 247Sports rates him as the 471st-ranked recruit in the class (45th-ranked defensive lineman and 68th-ranked recruit from Florida).
Edwards holds offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Colorado, Duke, East Carolina, FIU, Florida A&M, FAU, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, Marshall, Maryland, Michigan State, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Pitt, Purdue, Ole Miss, USF and Utah.
He’s committed to UCF still, as he has been since last summer, but he’s visited the likes of Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Maryland and Texas this spring, and he has visits lined up for Colorado and Maryland this month.
But the most recent most visit — which will not be over until Wednesday afternoon — to Pitt has been game-changing.
“It’s a great atmosphere, it’s unique all around and the culture… it’s hard to explain,” Edwards said. “It’s amazing. I really enjoyed myself up here so far.”
And when it comes to eventually making it back up to Pittsburgh, Edwards plans to schedule an official visit over the summer before he leaves this current visit. The bond he’s built with Pitt has definitely made him reconsider where he stands.
“Honestly, Pitt is really tied with UCF,” Edwards said. “Before the order was UCF then Pitt, now after being here and seeing everything, now I really have to think about my decision and reevaluate everything.”
There’s no timeline when it comes to Edwards making a decision, he’s taking it day by day, but Pitt and UCF will definitely be factors heading forward into the summer. And what will it take to land his eventual commitment?
“Just keep being Pitt,” Edwards said. “And same with UCF, just keep being UCF. Only time will tell. Obviously, I’m taking a visit here again and taking plenty more to UCF, so the more I visit, the more I get comfortable with the school, and I’ll really be able to really make my decision.
He and Donald look like they could be related.