Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Building Bond With Versatile 2025 Texas Linebacker
Pitt has made a concerted effort to hit Texas hard, and there have been dozens and dozens of offers extended over the last few weeks. Charles Ross is one of the latest.
Ross — a 6-foot-1, 190-pound linebacker from North Shore High in Houston, Tx. — picked up an offer from Randy Bates during an in-school visit last week. But it came over the phone.
“It’s a blessing,” Ross told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “It’s a great school, amazing facilities. We actually talked two days ago, and we kept in contact, he watched my film, he liked my film and he gave me a call to let me know.”
Ross holds offers from Arkansas State, Cal, Pitt, Texas State, UTEP, UTSA, Montana State and Yale.
#AGTG After a great conversation with @BatesBacker, I’m BLESSED to receive my sixth D1 offer from the University of Pittsburgh to further my academic and athletic career. I’d like to thank #GOD, my #FAMILY @RecruitEastside @coachgcross @jackson_dipVYPE @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/GBpFArMwiS
— Charles CJ Ross (@Legendary_Ross_) February 2, 2024
Pitt is obviously a recent offer, but he’s heard a lot from Bates since the offer was extended — even if it’s the first time he’s heard from the staff. The Pitt coaching staff sees him as a linebacker at the next level.
“(The coaching staff) just like how I play,” Ross said. “Very versatile player.”
He didn’t know much about Pitt or the city of Pittsburgh before receiving the offer, but he’s done his research and heard a lot from the coaching staff already — including how the Panthers share a facility with the Steelers, which Ross was amazing.
“It’s amazing, I love what (Pitt has) going on,” Ross said. “They’re sending many guys to the next level, and without football, they still have something going if you don’t make it to the next level. You can go do something with your degree.”
Ross was a major cog in the defense of one of the best high schools team in not just Texas but the United States. He racked up 71 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and two pass breakups.
Ross hasn’t been rated by the major recruiting services (247Sports, Rivals or On3), but he’s a rising recruit who will be busy this spring. The recruiting rankings will arrive with it.
He’s hearing a lot from Cal and Yale at this point, and he’s looking forward to taking some visits this spring (hearing how a coaching staff will utilize his talents and how he fits into a program) before narrowing down his recruitment.
He’s currently planning on working out a date in the spring to come to Pittsburgh and check out a spring practice.
“(Pitt has) all the resources,” Ross said. “They send many guys to the NFL, amazing coaching staff, so that’s really it.”
Pitt has not yet landed a commitment in the class of 2025, but the recruits in the class are beginning to come to the forefront.
The Panthers are in the mix for four-star linebacker Dayshaun Burnett (Pittsburgh, Pa.), three-star athlete Emmanuel Taylor (Virginia Beach, Va.), three-star offensive lineman Raphael Greene (Cincinnati, Ohio), four-star wide receiver Jadyn Robinson (San Juan Capistrano, Cal.), three-star running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. (Woodbridge, Va.), three-star athlete Jaiden Brown-Demery (Mest Mifflin, Pa.) and three-star edge rusher Sharlandiin Strange (Wyncote, Pa).
I like the job Manalac is doing as far as bringing in recruits at linebacker. I can’t remember the last time Pitt’s put together a more promising group of linebackers. I believe they have the potential to be really good. Lindsey, Marcelin, and Brewton appear to be guys that have a lot of upside and potential.