Pitt FB Recruiting
Versatile NCST Transfer OL Lyndon Cooper Commits to Pitt
Pitt earned a commitment from another highly-touted transfer Monday, this time coming from an offensive lineman.
The Panthers landed North Carolina State transfer lineman Lyndon Cooper, who announced his decision to commit to the Panthers on Twitter. Cooper took an official visit to Pitt over the weekend and quickly figured out that Pittsburgh was the right place for him.
“First thing I noticed was really the culture — the coaching staff, they were genuine from the first call I had with coach (Borbely),” Cooper told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I felt like he kept it a buck with me, and he just told me what it is and what it ain’t. When I got to campus, the first day, I got there late so I just kind of did the dinner. But the second day, when I saw the facilities, I had no idea how the facilities were set up so close with the Steelers. I feel like that was the most surprising thing on the visit that I learned.”
Cooper is a 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman who played over 300 snaps this past year for the Wolfpack — playing 100 snaps at left guard, 191 snaps at center and 20 snaps at right guard.
“That’s my strong part — I feel versatile,” Cooper said. “I feel comfortable playing all three positions, left guard, right guard, and center. I feel like that’s what I bring differently to the offensive line when I’m in the game.”
After entering the portal in early December, Cooper heard from a handful of programs and received offers from Louisville, Pitt, South Florida, and others. However, the Pitt staff stood out to him from the moment he heard from them. Then, this weekend, he had the opportunity to meet each staff member in person.
“I met pretty much all of the coaching staff — all of the defensive coaches, all of the offensive coaches. Met the new OC, met Coach Narduzzi, Coach Borbs, the Offensive Line GA, it was just good vibes the whole time I was there.”
Cooper told PSN that he has two years of eligibility remaining and that his goal is to dominate the ACC in those two seasons with the Panthers.
“These next two years, my goal is just to dominate the ACC and really just get thousands of reps so I can be a dominant O-lineman in the ACC. Either focus on being a center or a guard, I really don’t know what their plan is for me here. Coach Borbs and Coach Narduzzi told me yesterday that they wanted me to play both guard and center, so, really just focusing in on that, getting mentally, physically, and emotionally ready for these next two years so I can make it to the next level. Then, just build connections here at Pitt.”
According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed four pressures, two hurries and two sacks this season.
Track all of this year’s transfer portal action with The Portal Report below.
Great, keep em coming!
H2P!
Anymore outstanding players that haven’t committed? What was up with the picture of cathy with a bunch of eye emojis?
See the kid loved the Steeler angle. More the time they dump Tomlin before he further ruins the Steeler image from Coast to Coast.
Looks like Patrick did a good sale job on Mom. Or was it Count Dracula.
Sounds like he’s got some experience as a starter; that’s good news.
Coach Walt Harris once said recruiting for the O Line was one of the hardest things in coaching. Sure it’s not as glamorous has a skill position but in the trenches is where a lot of games are won; having players with a experience is a plus. Welcome to Pitt!