When in-state quarterback Gavin Sidwar announced his decommitment from Rutgers Sunday night, Pitt became an immediate team to keep an eye on for the four-star signal caller in the class of 2026.
While many teams are expected to push hard in the recruiting process for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound prospect from La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, Pa., he says he plans on taking things slow.
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“I’m back to square one, and I’ll see who starts reaching out and I’ll see if I think it’s a good fit,” Sidwar told Pittsburgh Sports Now.
Sidwar commited to Rutgers on July 1, but Pitt offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kade Bell has stayed in touch by telling the in-state prospect about Pitt’s results and how often the offense is throwing the ball this season.
With his recruitment open, Sidwar is considering a visit to Pitt if it fits in with his schedule, he further told PSN.
Pitt offered Sidwar on March 4 and Bell has been persistent in his recruitment of the high school junior.
“When coaches were allowed back in high schools, coach Bell was the first one to visit me. He told me I was at the top of their board, and I was the first QB he was visiting in my class,” Sidwar said in June.
The day that Sidwar picked up an offer, he was on the South Side for a visit and to experience Bell’s coaching in person.
“When I got invited to their practice in the spring, it was my first time meeting coach Bell. He’s a good guy. He had great energy. I’m excited for what he’s bringing to the offense. He wants to throw the ball around. The first thing I said to my dad when we left practice that day was, ‘I really like coach Bell.’ I still feel that way,” Sidwar said.
Sidwar and his family have connections to the Western Pa. area and he even wears the No. 7 because of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
“My dad’s parents grew up on the western side of the state, so he spent all his holidays out there as a kid. He was raised as a Pittsburgh pro sports fan. He always says to me that Pittsburgh is a great city when the recruiting topic comes up,” Sidwar said.
On3 rates Sidwar as a four-star recruit and the 15th-ranked quarterback in the class. He ranks as the fifth-best player in the state.
Along with Pitt and Rutgers, Sidwar holds offers from Syracuse, Duke, Virginia Tech, Maryland, West Virginia, Indiana, USF and Virginia.
Gavin Sidwar has led La Salle to a 10-0 record through the regular season. Through the first nine games, Sidwar has completed 174-of-243 (71.6%) passes for 2,161 yards and 27 touchdowns through the air, according to Easternpafootball.com.
Teach ’em how to be narcissistic attention whores early.