Pitt Gets Commitment from Thomas Jefferson 2025 OL Shep Turk

Pitt has secured its first WPIAL commitment in the class of 2025 in the form of a bruising offensive lineman.

Shep Turk — a 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive lineman from Thomas Jefferson in Jefferson Hills, Pa. — committed to Pitt Tuesday afternoon, he announced on social media. He’s scheduled to take his official visit on June 20.

Pitt football recruiting coverage sponsored by

RM LAW, P.C. is a boutique litigation law firm with a national practice dedicated to protecting shareholders’ interests and promoting improved corporate governance practices.

He committed to Pitt over offers from Army, Bowling Green, Bucknell, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Duquesne, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Lehigh, Navy, Maine, Monmouth, Stony Brook, Temple and UMass.

“I’m staying home,” Turk wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“As long as I can remember my dream was to play Division 1 football, now that dream is coming true. First I’d like to thank God for putting me in the position I am today. Next, I’d like to thank my parents for doing everything for me and guiding me. Finally, I’d like to thank all my coaches and trainers for making me into the athlete I am today. With that being said, I’m going to be a Panther.”

Home!!! #H2P #Committed @CoachDuzzPittFB @CoachDarveau pic.twitter.com/VkGFA8PWNN

— Shep Turk (@TurkShep) May 13, 2024

Pitt was the first — and only — Power Five school to extend Turk an offer, with Pat Narduzzi and Jeremy Darveau extending him an offer on March 22. But he’s been in contact with the coaching staff for a while.

Turk made it out to the Pitt-Florida State game last November and was back in town for Junior Day in February.

Turk is a big, bruising offensive tackle, who played a bit on the interior as a junior at Thomas Jefferson. He’s flown a bit under the radar during his recruiting process, but he’s impressed the Pitt coaching staff with his film and his  in-person visits over the last nine months.

Turk isn’t rated by the major recruiting services (247Sports, Rivals or On3), but with a commitment to Pitt and a summer in the spotlight, that will change in the coming weeks and months.

Pitt now holds five commitments in the class of 2025, Turk, three-star wide receiver Tony Kinsler (Port Orange, Fla.), 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.