Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt ‘Close to the Top’ for 2025 3-Star OL Following Recent Offer
Denzil Williams Jr. has had Pitt on his radar for a while, ever since he visited for a practice last spring, but he finally received an offer from the Panthers earlier this month.
Williams — a 6-foot-3, 295-pound three-star offensive lineman from Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, N.Y. — earned an offer from Jeremy Darveau on May 5, and it was the confirmation of legitimate interest from the Pitt coaching staff.
He also holds offers from Boston College, Bryant, Buffalo, Delaware, Duke, Fordham, Georgetown, JMU, Massachusetts, Monmouth, Temple and UNLV.
After a great call with @CoachDarveau, I am excited to receive my 15th Offer from The University of Pittsburgh!! @CoachDuzzPittFB @mvukovcan @PghSportsNow @RivalsRichie @StepinacSports @StepinacMSG @CoachAndyMar @coachdarcy_ #H2P pic.twitter.com/ruvlG8Srqu
— Denzil (DJ) Williams Jr (@dj_williams53) May 5, 2024
Williams had been talking to Darveau for a few weeks before the offer was extended, and he’s texted a bit with Pat Narduzzi in the time since, but that relationship between himself and Darveau has been swift.
“It’s really good,” Williams told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “He sounds like a good guy. He kind of told me his background and all that, where he’s coached, he’s coached at every level, so he knows what he’s doing.
“He likes how I play, he likes my athleticism, how I’m able to move.”
Williams initially connected with former offensive line coach Dave Borbely last spring, checking out the final spring practice before the 2023 Blue-Gold Spring Game, but the initial first impression with the new coaching staff was strong. Strong enough to lead to additional contact in the future.
Williams isn’t exactly an expert on Pitt football, but since he’s gotten to know more about the program over the last year, he’s learned enough to be familiar — and he likes what he sees.
“They’re a powerhouse football program and they’re very close with the Steelers, their facility is with the Steelers, so that’s really cool,” Williams said. “I found that really interesting.”
Williams hasn’t exactly been told where the Darveau and the Pitt coaching staff see him at the next level, but it’s likely on the inside. He’s played inside and outside at the high school level, and he didn’t allow a sack during his junior season.
Williams hasn’t been rated by the major recruiting services (247Sports, Rivals or On3), but as his recruitment continues this summer, that will change.
He’s hearing a lot from Boston College, Buffalo, Duke and JMU, but Pitt is standing out. There’s no set date, but Williams is working on an official visit date with the coaching staff.
He plans to commit to his future home following all his official visits this summer, but there’s no official timeline.
However, Pitt is firmly in the mix for his services as he enters the most crucial period of his recruiting process.
“I would say a place that makes me feel like home,” Williams said. “A coaching staff, even teachers, that would kind of like take care of me like I’m their own kid.
“They’re definitely close to the top of my list. I still want to see more of the campus, I want to see more of how the new coaching staff is, but they’re definitely up there.”
Pitt currently holds three commitments in the class of 2025, three-star wide receiver Bryce Yates (Chesterfield, Va.), three-star defensive lineman Trevor Sommers (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and three-star quarterback Mason Heintschel (Oregon, Ohio), and it’s not unlikely that a couple more soon join the class this spring.
hopefully the beat out Bryant and Delaware
…and Monmouth.
Hopefully you can beat it out of the Lasch Building before you know who comes looking for you….