Pitt FB Recruiting
Report: Pitt Receiving Official Visit from Transfer Offensive Lineman
For the second time early in this transfer portal season, being the first to contact a player will pay off for Pitt.
Six days ago, Western Carolina offensive lineman Derek Simmons entered his name in the transfer portal as a graduate transfer.
Simmons received that offer from his former offensive coordinator Kade Bell as Pitt was the first school to offer him. After hearing from Pitt, Simmons has also picked up ones from Northwestern, Wake Forest, Virginia, Kent State, Kansas State, FAU, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, UCF, Texas Tech, Michigan State, East Carolina, Cal, USF, Duke, North Carolina State, Toledo, Houston and Western Kentucky.
With so many options, Simmons has started the process of lining up official visits.
In an interview with Adam Freidman from Rivals.com, Simmons said that he has three visits planned.
“I have my first one to Texas Tech (Dec. 9-10), Pitt (Dec. 12-13) and Georgia Tech (date TBD),” said Simmons.
“Coach Geep Wade from Georgia Tech and I talk about life, and he checks in on me every day,” Simmons said. “That’s just good conversation between him and I. I have a good relationship with Coach Darveau from Pitt and Coach James from Texas Tech. Right now, I’m taking it all in and talking to my parents day by day. I have time to make these decisions. I don’t want to shoot too fast and miss an opportunity that comes up later on.”
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive tackle/guard will have one season of athletic eligibility remaining.
Northwest Missouri State transfer tight end Zach Atkins will make an official visit to Pitt on December 13-14.
Atkins will also be visiting North Carolina (Nov. 30-Dec. 1), Arkansas (Dec. 11-12), Ole Miss (Dec. 15-16), Houston (Dec. 18-19) and South Carolina (Dec. 21-22).
