Pitt was the sixth Division I school to offer LaMason Waller III back in November of 2021, when Brennan Marion was still Pitt’s wide receivers coach and Waller himself was just a freshman, but the communication ended.
Tiquan Underwood restarted that contact just a few months ago, building a relationship of his own with Waller — a 6-foot-2, 170-pound four-star athlete from Sultana High in Hesperia, California — and it resulted in Waller being re-offered.
“It’s been really good,” Waller told PSN. “I’ve been talking to the receiver coach a lot, coach Tiquan, and we’ve just really been building a bond, and I’m trying to get down there soon and see what it’s like to be there.”
Waller is one of the most in-demand recruits in the class of 2025, holding offers from over 40 schools, including Arkansas, BYU, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Utah and West Virginia, and Pitt is right in the mix.
Underwood jumped back into his recruiting chase about two, three months ago now, with the two simply talking over that time, but it’s resulted in a strong — and still growing — bond.
“It’s been real good talking to him, just him picking my brain, telling me about football and talking family and talking about how his wife’s from California and stuff like that,” Waller said.
“He told me that I’m really nice and he likes how I play. And he likes how I catch the ball, he likes how I block and stuff like that.”
Waller is very aware that Pitt is tied with Ohio State with the most Biletnikoff Award winners, and of course, he knows Jordan Addison, too. “I love that he played at Pitt, and I’m happy to see how Pitt plans for me and to see how they go in my recruitment.” Underwood has shown Waller how he could succeed in the system.
Waller is one of the best athletes in the class, showcasing his explosive ability as a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner. So, it’s not hard to see a fit.
He sees himself as a well-rounded, aggressive player who can play wide receiver or defensive back — his hands and speed are two of his best aspects.
As a junior at Sultana, earning MaxPreps’ All-American honors, Waller racked up 1,057 yards (16.5 yards per reception) and 15 touchdowns on 64 receptions. But he added 151 rushing yards (8.9 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, 245 kick returns yards (30.6 yards per return) and 36 tackles (26 solo), two interceptions, a forced fumble and two recoveries.
247Sports rates Waller as the 218th-ranked recruit in the class (13th-ranked athlete and the 24th-ranked recruit from California) while Rivals rates him as the 165th-ranked recruit in the class (17th-ranked athlete and the 20th-ranked recruit from California).
On3 rates Waller as the 234th-ranked recruit in the class (16th-ranked athlete and 24th-ranked recruit from California).
Waller has been busy this spring, making visits to Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State, TCU and Indiana, and he plans to make it out to Pittsburgh.
“Definitely I will be visiting this summer,” Waller said. “I don’t know exactly when or what day, but this summer for sure.
“I just hope to see the city, see how the coaches coach and how the players operate. And just furthering my bond with coach Underwood and things like that.”
Colorado, Michigan, Pitt, Syracuse, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington and BYU have been after Waller hard recently, and while Pitt is new to rejoin the chase, there’s a relationship there.
“As of right now, they’re doing really well,” Waller said. “I haven’t even taken a visit yet, and they’re in my top schools. That should explain a lot, and I think when I visit, it will be remarkable, so I can’t wait to get down there with the coaching staff.”
Pitt does not hold a commitment in the class of 2025, and adding Waller as the foundation piece of the class would be a dream scenario.
