Pitt FB Recruiting
New Pitt Signees Rack Up All-State Honors in Pennsylvania
Pitt secured signings from seven recruits in the state of Pennsylvania in the class of 2024, from Pittsburgh to Pennsylvania and everything in between, and he was proud of that.
“The quality of football that we have in the state is still high,” Narduzzi said last week on the South Side. “The quality of coaching, and again, thanking all those coaches for all the hard work, but it’s the coaching, the development and the love of football, and obviously the love of Pittsburgh that brought all those guys here. So, it just tells you that Pennsylvania is still playing a lot of really, really good football.”
It isn’t just WPIAL stars that will be heading to the South Side but top-ranked recruits from all over the state. And a handful of those recruits are now considered among the very best that Pennsylvania has to offer.
Cameron Lindsey (Aliquippa), Jiavani Cooley (Cathedral Prep), Juelz Goff (Central York) and Jahsear Whittington (Imhotep Charter) have all earned All-State honors for their senior campaigns.
Thankful to have made all state for the second year in a row!! AGTG 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/DIVVoozZvv
— Juelz Goff (@JuelzGoff) December 29, 2023
Goff put together an electric senior season at Central York, leading the Panthers to an 11-1 record and deep run through the PIAA Class-6A playoffs, as he racked up 1,623 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns in the process.
“Outstanding football player,” Narduzzi said. “You know, at one point we had two, but there’s no question this was the guy. His dad will tell you, he’ll tell you, I’ll tell you, if we were going to lose one, this is the one we did not want to lose. He’s a 10.8 100-meter guy, he’s the all-time leading rusher in that school district there.
“He’s got that breakaway speed, you talk 10.8 and he’s only a senior in high school. He’s explosive, and it’s one of those guys if you give him a crack, he’s gonna take more than you blocking, and that’s what we need — another one of those guys in the backfield.”
It’s the second of back-to-back All-State campaigns for Goff.
Blessed🍞🍞 pic.twitter.com/jEhhUnxB8O
— 4⭐️ Jahsear “Breadman” whittington (@jahwhitt) December 13, 2023
Whittington, the top-ranked defensive tackle from Pennsylvania (a Top-250 recruit according to Rivals), is coming off a stellar senior season in which he led Imhotep to another PIAA Class-5A championship. He racked up 62 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and two fumble recoveries in the process.
“This is one of those guys that loves football as well,” Narduzzi said. “Always got a smile on his face. He’s tough, he’s physical. He led his team to a state championship. We wish he was mid-year. Every time I see him, I’m like, ‘Are you sure you’re not mid-year?’ I wish he was mid-year. And just one of those guys that led his team to a championship. He’s explosive, he causes havoc inside against whoever he plays against. I know coach Partridge can’t wait to get his hands on all these guys.”
Whittington is another multi-time All-State performer himself.
1st team all state‼️ Now 3x First team All-state‼️ pic.twitter.com/06g7II0z3x
— Cameron (@cx_lindsey) December 29, 2023
Lindsey racked up 118 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and two fumble recoveries as a senior at Aliquippa — adding six catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns and 50 carries for 363 yards and seven touchdowns offensively. He earned Pittsburgh Union Progress Player of the Year honors for his efforts.
“A really athletic guy who plays in all three phases for them,” Narduzzi said. “When you watch the game, I had the opportunity to watch one live game, I believe this year, I think it’s the only game I had the chance to go to at new Heinz Field, not actually Heinz Field, it’s their Heinz Field, but, you know, football player, athlete.
“I think he can play all three positions. I think he’s kind of like a SirVocea Dennis. I think he’s one of those guys that you can put at the Star, you can put at Money, you can put at Mike. I think he can do it all. And he runs down on kickoffs and knocks people’s heads off, you’re gonna watch him do that for four years. He plays downhill and aggressive like we need our guys to play here.”
Lindsey, like his peers, is a multi-time All-State performer — earning three consecutive honors himself.
Cooley put together a strong campaign for Cathedral Prep as a senior, paving the way for one of the top rushing attacks in the state. He helped the Ramblers to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class-5A playoffs.
“Played both ways for them up there, obviously he’s an offensive lineman — offensive tackle,” Narduzzi said. “All-State guy. That, again, is just a big, rangy guy. And after we offered him, it didn’t take long for him to say, I’m coming to Pittsburgh. I mean, he came down with his mom and some family members as well. But he’s laid back like most offensive linemen. But he’s all Pitt, and we’re excited to have him.”
Pitt secured 19 commitments in the class of 2024, and the signees from Pennsylvania are certainly an accomplished bunch.
Looks like the makings of a great class. Narduzzi will have them back on top soon.
“From Pittsburgh to Pennsylvania” Holy crap. Long distance indeed
PSN had many articles on Che Nwabuko’s track speed two years ago.