Pitt FB Recruiting
2027 WPIAL RB Picks Up First Power Four Offer from Pitt
Jance Henry is only a freshman at Central Valley in Monaca, but he’s had no shortage of interest through his first year at the high school level — and the biggest offer has arrived.
Henry — a 5-foot-8, 190-pound running back from Central Valley in the class of 2027 — picked up his first Power Four offer Friday night, receiving the offer during a phone call with Pitt recruiting director Adam Caltury.
“It feels great,” Henry told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “It just reminds me that all the hard work I put in pays off, since I was three years old I’ve been working for this goal and it’s finally getting to show.”
Henry was in the football office with Central Valley head coach Mark Lyons after school, and he was told that Caltury wanted to talk. So, Henry went home, took a quick nap to rest up and then gave Caltury a call.
“He let me know that the offer for right now is not about who I am right now, it’s letting me know it’s who he expects me to be in three to four years when it’s time to graduate and commit somewhere,” Henry said.
AGTG blessed to receive another D1 offer from @Pitt_FB @CoachDuzzPittFB @coachcsanders @Kb1Raw @AdamCalt @CoachLyonsCVfb @cvqbclub @210ths @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @MohrRecruiting @wpialsportsnews @PA_TodaySports @AllenTrieu @RBAcademy_ @PRZPAvic #H2P pic.twitter.com/SfT3UieEGK
— Jance Henry Jr (@jance_jr) February 2, 2024
Henry has been hearing from Pitt for a while now, considering Central Valley has produced a handful of notable Panthers over the last decade, and one of the next targets is 2026 offensive lineman Brendan Alexander. Henry isn’t far behind.
“It feels good because you know Pittsburgh kids, we were growing up watching Pitt, Jordan Whitehead, Damar Hamlin, Kenny Pickett, all the guys,” Henry said. “So, to really get the offer reminds me to keep working and it feels great.”
It isn’t the first offer for Henry. He’s picked up offers from Akron, Toledo and UNLV during his freshman season, and it doesn’t come as a surprise to either himself or his father. This is what he’s been training for since he was just three years old. The plan was set into motion then, and he knew if he put in the work, everything would fall into place.
But it certainly is uncommon for a freshman to have such a robust recruiting process. It isn’t uncommon for Pitt to swoop in first — or among the first — for a top WPIAL recruit.
“I’m pretty familiar with the Pitt coaches,” Henry said. “Actually, when they played Louisville, I was down there for the game. It was a pretty cold game, but it was fun. The environment is cool. I like it down there. It’s Pitt, you can’t go wrong.
“Yeah, I was definitiely a Pitt fan. You know, they’re my home team. So, they come on TV, you gotta watch them every time.”
He was young when James Conner was running wild at Pitt, but he certainly has seen the highlight tapes. Henry considers himself a combination back, capable of speed, power and the ability to bounce runs for big plays. As he did as a freshman.
Henry was the star running back at Central Valley last season, carrying the ball 144 times for 1,008 yards (7.0 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns — adding three more catches for 52 yards. And he made an impact defensively, adding 81 tackles (38 solo), three fumble recoveries and 16 pass breakups.
Henry hasn’t been rated by the major recruiting services at this point, considering he’s still years away from his class taking the spotlight, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to be one of the top-ranked recruits in the WPIAL when his time rolls around.
He’s hearing a lot from Akron, Pitt and Toledo at this point, and he’s excited to lock in with the Pitt coaches and start to really build those interpersonal bonds with the coaching staff.
He’s interacted with Pat Narduzzi and Cory Sanders at this point, and new running backs coach Lindsey Lamar will join the mix, and he certainly feels good in those early interactions.
“They come around, they make you feel real comfortable,” Henry said. “They’re not just here talking to you. They’re letting you know their game plan and what they’re working on. They’re asking you what you’re working on, so it’s great. They make you feel like you’re one of the guys.
“Central Valley has a lot of guys going to Pitt, and you never know, I might end up there one day.”
WPIAL Class of 2027
- Larry Moon, cornerback, Aliquippa High School
- Carter Bonner, athlete, Shadyside Academy
- Khalil Taylor, defensive back, Seton LaSalle High School
- Armand Hill, running back, West Mifflin High School
- Kemon Jones, running back, McKeesport High School
- Gabriel Jenkins, defensive back, Imani Christian Academy
- Jance Henry Jr., running back, Central Valley High School
