Head Coach James Franklin and the Penn State football program have no doubt gotten the attention of the top talent in Western Pennsylvania and in return, Pitt football as well.
Following the commitments of Class of 2025 commits in Aliquippa four-star running back Tiqwai Hayes on Monday and North Catholic four-star tight end Brady O’Hara on Tuesday, the Nittany Lions staff has started a catchy phrase that no doubt is annoying to the Panthers, “Best in PA, Stay In PA”.
As Pittsburgh Sports Now has been telling you about for months, the talent level in Western Pennsylvania over the next three recruiting classes is very, very strong and with the commitments of Hayes and O’Hara, Penn State has gotten off to a tremendous start.
Credit goes to Penn State assistant head coach Terry Smith for using his deep ties to the area in leading the charge for Penn State.
The question now is can the Pitt staff somehow slow down this tidal wave being caused by Franklin and company? There’s still plenty of talented still left and more names will be added to this list over the upcoming months, so Pitt has a chance to add great local recruits.
WPIAL/City League Players With Pitt Offers
Class of 2025
Class of 2026
- Kyshawn Robinson, Athlete, Westinghouse High School
- David Davis, Athlete, Imani Christian Academy
- Da’Ron Barksdale, Athlete, Steel Valley High School
- Daiveon Taylor, Outside Linebacker, Bishop Canevin High School
- Colsen Gatten, Outside Linebacker, Central Catholic High School
Class of 2027
One thing that’s interesting with how Penn State is recruiting the area is the priority they’ve made it over the last couple of years compared to years past. Consider that Penn State has gotten more commitments in the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 than they did in the previous past seven recruiting classes combined (Classes 2016 thru 2022).
Penn State Western PA Commitments
(Classes 2023 thru 2025)
-Brashear four-star linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson (2023) (City League)
-Chartiers Valley three-star cornerback Lamont Payne (2023)
-Central Catholic three-star wide receiver Peter Gonzalez (2024)
-Belle Vernon four-star athlete Quinton Martin (2024)
-Central Catholic four-star linebacker Anthony Speca (2024)
-Aliquippa four-star running back Tiqwai Hayes (2025)
-North Catholic three-star tight end Brady O’Hara (2025)
(Classes 2016 thru 2022)
-Woodland Hills Five-star running back Miles Sanders (2016)
-Clairton Five-star cornerback Lamont Wade (2017)
-Pittsburgh Central Catholic Four-star offensive tackle C.J. Thorpe (2017)
-Penn Hills defensive back Daequan Hardy (2019)
-North Allegheny four-star cornerback Joey Porter, Jr. (2019)
-Aliquippa three-star defensive end Zuriah Fisher (2020)
-North Allegheny three-star tight end Khalil Dinkins (2021)
Duzz is done.
He never could recruit.. that has been his downfall. He has done miracles which average high school players.
“Duzz is done” Dumbest statement of the year. Duzz has a contract until 2030. If he leaves, it will be by his choice not the university’s.
As far as recruiting, he’s recruited some pretty top end defensive talent since coming to Pitt. Look at how many guys on defense start on Sundays in the NFL. He’s not a bad recruiter. Could be way worse.
Being “Done” doesn’t mean he’s getting fired. Pitt is too cheap to buy him out and nobody else would touch him after watching the implosion that he has overseen.
In a day and age where offense wins games and the rules are skewed for offensive scoring only Duzz would recruit “some top end defensive talent” and ignore the offensive side of the ball (remember he’s in the defensive room 85% of the time). How do pitt fans put up with him? Gotta watch the tape….didn’t you see it up close and personal like all the fans?
Old James is doing what he said he was going to do from the very first time he said foot at Penn State. He was going to get the best players from Pennsylvania and he’s worked hard and doing it hook or crook is one of the best at recruiters… old pat has never been a good recruiter
Not is not the best at recuiting the good recuits he get he don’t play them Yarnell and Hall just to name a few.
I hope PSU enjoys it while it lasts. They’re only a Sandusky away from losing it all, AGAIN!
H2P!
typical pitt fan
Only a truly craven fan would dig that up again as a get-back to PSU. There is a reason PSU doesn’t play Pitt anymore. Their program has passed you by a long time ago. The last 4 game Pitt- PSU series ended up 3-1 PSU. We have so many other weak programs to choose from that don’t demand as much money for a similarly weak opponent.
You know you are getting your butt kicked when you bring up Sandusky.
It’s over for Duzz recruiting in the wpial everybody see he don’t do his hometown guys right.
Well said…
Starting DB MJ Devonshire, Aliquippa; DE Dayon Hayes, Pittsburgh; C Jake Kradel, Butler; QB Phil Jurkovec, Pine Richland; DT David Green, PCC; and more.
Yep, doesn’t do right by the WPIAL. You’re so full of it. PS starts only players from Pennsylvania, baloney.
If all you have to hang your hat is players like Jurkovec, you shouldn’t buy hats.
and he’s on his third program, the only one dumb enough to bring him in. He’s too old and beat up to play QB anymore
Most of them guys left then came back. The guys that actually started at Pitt he slimes them. In addition, they gave everyone them guys a hard time except for jerk. You just looking from the outside you don’t know what them boys been thru to get where they at. Duzzi favors the Florida guys.
You don’t know what your talking about.
Is it really a hard decision?
It’s getting bad when you can’t lock up 3 star recruits