It starts with early National Signing Day in a week, and it only gets busier for the Pitt coaching staff from there. There’s going to be bowl prep, but the offseason starts once the regular season finale against Boston College is over.
The transfer portal opens on Dec. 9, and it will be paramount to host as many of the top targets on campus as possible.
There’s already one visit that’s lined up.
Northwest Missouri State (D-II) transfer tight end Zach Atkins is coming to town just after the portal officially opens, he told PSN.
Atkins has scheduled visits to North Carolina (Nov. 30-Dec. 1), Arkansas (Dec. 11-12), Pitt (Dec. 13-14), Ole Miss (Dec. 15-16), Houston (Dec. 18-19) and South Carolina (Dec. 21-22), according to Adam Friedman of Rivals.
He’s going to be a very busy man during the month of December, with the transfer portal officially opening only a few days before his visit.
In just over a week since Atkins announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal, he’s received offers from Arkansas, Cal, Duke, Houston, Kentucky, Liberty, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State, North Carolina, Old Dominion, Ole Miss, Pitt, South Carolina, Toledo, Tulsa, USF, West Virginia and Western Kentucky.
Pitt was one of the first programs to reach out, and that initial connection with tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski and key recruiting staffers Graham Wilbert and Oren Wilson Jr. stood out.
“Pitt was the first Power Four school to contact me,” Atkins told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “Them being the first Power Four school to offer me means a lot in my eyes because they were the first big school to believe in me and believe in what I’ve shown on film.
“They were the first program to tell me that they can really develop me into being a great player at this level, which means a lot to me. They have a really young coaching staff and a young tight ends coach that said a lot of great things to me. I’m really looking forward to developing that relationship with them and seeing what happens.”
Atkins — a 6-foot-5, 245-pound rising junior from Olathe, Kan. — was productive during two seasons at Northwest Missouri State. He hauled in 30 receptions for 360 yards (12 yards per reception) and four touchdowns.
He’s a big, athletic target who the coaching staff believes could be a legitimate weapon in offensive coordinator Kade Bell’s offense.
“At my weight, to be able to move like I do and run routes like I do is pretty rare,” Atkins said. “I believe that coaches see my ability to be able to improve and with a D-I nutrition staff and strength staff, I think they see a lot of potential and a player with a bright future. With two years left, I just want to continue to try and improve and get better and I think with the right coaches and the right system I can be a definite weapon.”
Pitt is set to lose Gavin Bartholomew this offseason, opening a hole in the offense, and Jake Overman, Malachi Thomas and Jake Renda are set to return — with three-star Max Hunt set to sign next week.
Atkins would be a great addition to a new-look tight ends room, but it’s going to be a battle over the next month to secure his services.
A decision will likely come right after the conclusion of his visit schedule.
