Securing solid recruiting classes is the key for any college football program to enjoy long term success, and although it’s not always recognized by the national recruiting analysts, Pitt has been able to do that for the last handful of years and currently are doing real well according to the experts.
The Pitt recruiting Class of 2024 currently has 14 commitments and has a national team recruiting ranking of No. 18 by Rivals.com, which would be the highest ranking of the Pat Narduzzi era.
The headliners of this class are the first two players to give commitments: four-star defensive tackle Jahsear Whittington and four-star wide receiver Ric’Darious Farmer.
During the month of June, the Panthers coaches will be hosting a number of four-star recruits and in all likelihood will be getting more commitments from four-star players over the next couple of months but there’s one player that I believe is so very important to land.
I’m not going to go as far as to say he’s a must get because as we’ve seen over the years, no player is a sure thing, however, for a lot of reasons, this player would be a grand slam get for Pitt and that’s Aliquippa’s Cam Lindsey.
I know he’s a local player and is also a four-star recruit which is all fine and good, but Pitt needs to get Lindsey because he’s a REALLY good football player. I’ll repeat, REALLY GOOD.
Two other linebackers in the WPIAL, Central Catholic’s Anthony Speca and Cole Sullivan have gotten a lot of attention over the offseason, but in my opinion, Lindsey is as good or better than both of them. While he is rated as a consensus four-star recruit, I’ve been shocked that he doesn’t have more Power Five offers.
Lindsey has elite speed, can move from sideline to sideline, as you’d expect he’s Aliquippa tough, he’s intelligent and he’s improved his coverage skills. With his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, Lindsey has everything you want in a linebacker, and I believe would be a star in Pitt’s defensive scheme.
With it likely being down to Penn State, West Virginia and Cincinnati, the question is can Pitt find a way to keep Lindsey home?
Although I believe it’s a bit overrated and focused on by the fan base way too much, getting a commitment from a key WPIAL four-star recruit would be good for Pitt’s image. A few local 2024 players have already made commitments to Power Five programs, which has started the yearly conversation about Pitt’s struggles to recruit high-end WPIAL talent.
Getting Lindsey would quiet that.
Aside from the fact that he’s really good, Pitt would be adding a major talent to a key position- linebacker. During the Narduzzi era, Pitt has gotten 4-star WPIAL recruits from nearly every position but at linebacker.
Quarterback Phil Jurkovec, running back Derrck Davis, wide receiver Tyler Boyd, offensive line Jake Kradel, defensive end Dayon Hayes, Nakai Johnson, defensive tackle Elliot Donald, safety Damar Hamlin, cornerback M.J. Devonshire but they’ve come up short at linebacker.
Lindsey is currently on his official visit to Pitt and is no doubt getting the royal treatment from Narduzzi, Ryan Manalac and company. I’m sure things such as staying home, hometown hero, Darrelle Revis, early playing time are being discussed but will it be enough to get him to say ‘Pitt is It’?
I’m sure at some point this weekend, a Pat Signal will appear, for Pitt’s sake when that player is revealed, let’s hope it’s Lindsey.
Completely agree. It’s pretty dumbfounding why Pitt has not been able to attract any regional 4-Star recruits (not counting transfers) yet. They were landing a bunch of local 4-Stars over the past few years. Hopefully, it’s just an odd coincidence. Pitt is not full of talent at LB so this is an excellent opportunity for Lindsey to star earlier at a local major college team on the upswing — rather than get lost in the sauce at overstocked Penn State, or end up at a struggling WVU program.