Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Expresses Interest in Transfer Portal Targets
Pitt has finally reached the 85-scholarship limit, barring the fate of out-for-the-season Nate Temple, but that isn’t going to be the end of portal activity this spring.
There are holes to fill across the roster, and those holes — at this point in the offseason — can only be filled by adding from the portal. So, of course, the Pitt coaching staff has targeted areas of need in the portal.
There’s an obvious desire to add at wide receiver, which is interesting considering the relative depth in the room, but there are more obvious areas of addition. The defensive line, inside and outside, has a need. The offensive line isn’t out of the question. And cornerback isn’t exactly deep. So, who are some of the new contacts?
Bear in mind that these are just contacts. No offers — as of this point — have been extended.
Zechariah Owens — Clemson offensive lineman
Owens — a 6-foot-6, 375-pound redshirt freshman from Covington, Ga. — told JGP Visuals that Pitt is one of the schools that has reached out to him since entering the portal.
He’s heard from a large number of Power Four programs, including Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Syracuse, Texas Tech, UCF, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington and West Virginia.
Owens only played in two games during his freshman campaign, recording a grand total of 13 snaps, but he’s not far removed from being one of the top offensive line recruits in the class of 2023.
Raylen Sharpe — Missouri State wide receiver
Sharpe — a 5-foot-9, 170-pound junior wide receiver from Allen, Tx. — told JPG Visuals that Pitt is one of the schools that has reached out to him since entering the portal.
He’s also heard from Power Four programs in Arizona, Arkansas, Boston College, Cal, Duke, Iowa, Kansas, Louisville, Texas A&M, Washington and Vanderbilt.
He began his career at Houston, spending one season with the Cougars (playing in one game during his freshman season) before transferring to Missouri State. After a solid debut season (16 receptions for 307 yards and a touchdown), he broke out last season.
Sharpe was the leading receiver for Missouri State last season, hauling in 73 receptions for 991 yards (13.6 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns.
Jacoby Jones — Ohio wide receiver
Jones — a 6-foot-3, 230-pound redshirt senior wide receiver from Tunica, Miss. — told JPG Visuals that Pitt is one of the schools that has reached out to him since entering the portal.
He’s also heard from Power Four programs in Arkansas, Duke, Florida, Oklahoma State and UCF.
Jones began his collegiate career at Northwest Mississippi Community College (spending three seasons as a Ranger) before transferring to Ohio before the 2022 season.
And while he was sidelined due to injury for the majority of last season (recording eight receptions for 147 yards in three games), he was a difference-maker in 2022. He hauled in 45 receptions for 776 yards (17.2 yards per reception) and six touchdowns.
Unless Pitt gets more NIL money they will only be in the market for mediocre players. Money is the name of the game in college football now.
H2P!
That’s simply just not true for everybody. The best CB in the draft stayed at Toledo because of loyalty and relationships. Nick Saban stated the #1 player he was waiting to enter the portal was Quinyon Mitchell.
I see your point but young Mr. Mitchell is just one man. Most will go for the cash.
Tho I’m not against these young people getting a piece of the pie.
Maybe some type of NIL ” cap ” if there isn’t something in place.
H2P
Money has always been the name of the game. Reggie Bush just got his Heisman Trophy for transgressions then which are legal now. Don’t think from Ara Parsegian to JoePa, John Robinson and others didn’t make financial inducements to the “right” player. The federal government did the right thing stepping in. Now the money is above board.