Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Extends Offer to Massive, All-Ivy League Offensive Tackle
It has been a very tough season for the Pitt offensive line as the unit has dealt with season-ending injuries, inconsistent play and first-time starters. There have been double-digit starting line configurations this season.
That influx of youth should bode well for the 2024 season, but there’s always room for more depth on the offensive and defensive lines — especially if that depth comes with some serious pedigree.
Pitt extended an offer to first-team All-Ivy Leaguer Jonathan Mendoza, a 6-foot-9, 308-pound left tackle from Yale, who has also received offers from Arkansas State, Rutgers, Houston, Duke, Louisville, UMass and Wagner since entering the portal earlier this week.
Mendoza, who will likely be very sought-after in the transfer portal, is a player who could provide much-needed experience on the line as he has just one season of eligibility remaining.
Honored to receive an offer from the University of Pittsburgh! pic.twitter.com/WslYbRwA2o
— Jonathan Mendoza (@MendozaJon77) November 23, 2023
Mendoza arrived at Yale in 2019, serving as a depth lineman as a freshman, and he had his sophomore season canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And after only appearing in three games in 2021, his experience level lagged behind.
But he slid into as the starting right tackle in 2022, earning an All-Ivy honorable mention nod, before he truly broke out in 2023.
According to PFF, as Mendoza racked up a team-high 662 snaps in 2023 (playing 427 at left tackle, 234 at right guard and one at right tackle), he allowed just one quarterback hit and one sack — and he paved the way for one of the leading rushing attacks in the Ivy League.
Offensive linemen will be a premium in the transfer portal, especially as it goes for All-Conference linemen (no matter the level), and it’s clear that Mendoza will be in high demand.
Ryan Baer and Branson Taylor, who have started the majority of games at tackles this season, are slated to return next season — as is Terrence Enos Jr., who picked up a spot start in 2023. And Jackson Brown, Tai Ray and Ryan Carretta are all a season more mature.
Pitt has Terrence Moore back as a rather successful center, and BJ Williams figures to have the lead on a guard spot in 2024. Jason Collier Jr. and Ryan Jacoby, if they chooses to return, are in the mix — as is Dorien Ford.
But Mendoza is an experienced lineman who has played at both tackle spots and even on the interior. His size, and length, point to a more permanent position on the outside though. His versatility, experience and size will interest more than a couple of Power Five programs this offseason. And Pitt is clearly interested.
