Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Extends Offer to Former 4-Star Michigan State Offensive Lineman
The firing of Mel Tucker opened a 30-day window for Michigan State players to enter the transfer portal without penalty, and a handful of Spartans have already taken advantage of the opening.
Keyshawn Blackstock, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound interior offensive lineman, is one of those to enter the portal, doing so Tuesday afternoon, and he’s had no shortage of interest in his short time in the portal.
Pitt joined the likes of North Carolina State, Texas Tech, Houston and Cal to reach out and extend an offer just hours after Blackstock officially hit the portal. Pat Narduzzi, Dave Borbely and Graham Wilbert appear to be leading the charge for Pitt.
Blessed to receive an offer from Pittsburgh!💙💛@CoachDuzzPittFB @CoachOatesOL @CoachBorbs @graham_wilbert pic.twitter.com/1SHM90on5V
— keyshawn blackstock (@keyshawnblacks5) October 25, 2023
Blackstock didn’t spend long at Michigan State after committing to the Spartan in December, playing just four games in a depth role this season, but he was one of the most highly sought-after JUCO recruits in the class of 2023.
247Sports and Rivals both rated Blackstock as the top-ranked JUCO interior offensive lineman in the class (top ten overall) out of Coffeyville C.C. in Covington, Ga., and he received offers from nearly 50 schools before deciding on the Spartans.
He sent a top five of Michigan State, Oregon, Tennessee, USC and Oklahoma the last time around.
He played 74 offensive snaps for Michigan State this season, all 74 at left tackle, and he played well in limited action. According to PFF, he allowed just two pressures and two hurries (both against Central Michigan) this season.
It appears likely that Blackstock will be in high demand once again as he goes through the transfer portal process — able to talk to coaches and transfer to a new school at any time. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Pitt will lose at least Blake Zubovic and Jake Kradel following the season, with their collegiate eligibility expiring, and it remains to be seen what Matt Goncalves and Ryan Jacoby will decide to do.
Branson Taylor will be back, and Ryan Baer, Terrence Moore and BJ Williams have worked their way into the starting lineup for the first time this season. Jason Collier Jr., Dorien Ford, Terrence Enos Jr. and Jackson Brown also figure to feature into the equation.
But it seems likely that Pitt will do its due diligence looking into transfer offensive linemen in the portal through the offseason.
A good OL is the key to offensive success. They make the QB and RBs a lot better.
H2P!!!