The most important factor in the recruiting process for Moritz Schmoranzer was finding a home, somewhere he truly felt comfortable, and it makes sense considering his family lives across the world.
Schmoranzer — a 6-foot-4, 275-pound three-star offensive lineman from North Cross School in Roanoke, Va. — narrowed down his college decision to Miami, Pitt, West Virginia and Virginia Tech, but in the end, he committed to Pitt.
“That’s where I feel most comfortable,” Schmoranzer told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I have a good feeling about it, and that’s what I like. If I think about going to Pitt, I have a good feeling about that.”
Schmoranzer — who is originally from Germany and moved to the United States a couple of years ago to play football — picked up offers from Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami, James Madison, Liberty, Ohio, Old Dominion, Pitt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wake Forest during the recruiting process.
He originally chose to commit to either Virginia Tech or Wake Forest, but as his recruiting process blew up over the summer, he took a step back to reconsider. And after official visits to Miami, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, he took his final to Pitt last weekend.
And while he loved the overall experience at Pitt, he didn’t want to commit right away.
“(I knew I wanted to commit) after my official visit last week,” Schmoranzer said. “You shouldn’t commit being on an official visit, you should take some time to think about it, but I thought about it on the way home, and then overnight, and then I knew that’s where I should go.”
It wasn’t just the family aspect, of course, but the football and the development as a player and a person within the program.
Schmoranzer has been able to build a strong bond with Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi and offensive line coach Dave Borbely over the last few months, and that trust in development starts there.
And considering Schmoranzer’s inexperience in playing tackle football, playing soccer and running track (actually running, boasting a 13.01 100-yard dash at 275 pounds) in Germany, his rise as an offensive lineman has been very quick.
He’s only played one season on the offensive line, spending his first season in the United States as a wide receiver, and that speed and athleticism are what jump off the screen when watching him play either tackle spot.
Schmoranzer said Pitt is getting a fast, athletic offensive lineman on the field, and a German off the field.
247Sports rates Schmoranzer as the 46th-ranked interior lineman and the 19th-ranked recruit from Virginia. Rivals rates him as the 15th-ranked recruit from Virginia — holding a 5.6 Rivals Rating.
He’s found a new home away from home at Pitt, complete with new brothers on the team, but his family back in Germany is awaiting his return home for the summer in July. Of course, they’re excited for what’s to come at Pitt, too.
“(My family) support me a lot,” Schmoranzer said. “Wherever I’m going. But they’re pretty comfortable with me going there. I’ve taken them on an unofficial visit about a month ago, and they think pretty highly of Pitt.”
The recruiting process is over now, and Schmoranzer is ready to be a Pitt Panther.
“I’m relieved that it’s over, all that stress, but I’m pretty damn happy about (being a Pitt Panther),” Schmoranzer said.
“We’re gonna win the ACC championship again. At some point.”
Schmoranzer is Pitt’s fifth offensive line commit in the class, joining four-star Caleb Holmes, and three-stars in Adham Abouraya, Jiavani Cooley and Mason Lindsey.
I know German culture pretty well (flying there on Sunday!) and I have to say that the people are highly competitive, super hard working, disciplined, and no B.S.
Schmoranzer is going to far exceed expectations if he stays healthy. Another BIG win for the O-line.