Pitt FB Recruiting
‘No-Brainer’: Pitt Felt Like Home for New DE Blaine Spires
Blaine Spires already knew new Pitt assistant Anthony Johnson before he arrived on campus for his official visit Friday, but as he spent time with Pat Narduzzi and strength & conditioning coach Michael Stacchiotti, two guys from his hometown of Youngstown, he felt at home.
Spires — a 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive end from Utah State — felt like it was a no-brainer to commit to Pitt before actually heading home.
“The opportunity is unmatched, it’s close to home — coming from Utah is great, my family couldn’t really get out to most of the games,” Spires told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “So, being able to get to where I’m an hour away from home, on top of the atmosphere that I’d be playing in at Pitt, the resources, just being in the building with professionals.
“Just on my visit, I got to see George Pickens, Cam Heyward, all of them casually, just to be able to watch them work and learn, and like I said, it’s a no-brainer. My family can all come, it’s an hour away, it was big for me, and on top of that, I love how the defense plays. This is a great defense to play in, very productive defensive and the opportunity’s there. They got a lot of people leaving, so it’s a very open opportunity for that other edge spot.”
Spires arrived in town on Friday morning, spent time checking out the city and the athletic facilities with Johnson and recruiting analyst Brandon Bowie and returned to the South Side facility for more in-depth time with Narduzzi and defensive line coach Tim Daoust.
He spent 45 minutes with Daoust, watching defensive film and discussing his fit in the defense — what he could be capable of in a defense that prioritizes getting after the quarterback.
The time with Narduzzi came during dinner time, when they caught up as only two guys from Youngstown could. He loved the family feel, but maybe just as importantly, he loved his potential in the Narduzzi defense.
LAST RIDE LETS EMPTY THE TANK🔵🟡 #HTGE #H2P @anttt88 @CoachDuzzPittFB pic.twitter.com/jvLG1C214M
— Blaine Spires🦈 (@Blaine_Lamar) January 4, 2025
It’s an attacking system, one that prioritizes getting after opposing quarterbacks and stopping the run. Spires loved that, and he loved the idea of getting off the line, playing vertical and doing whatever he could to create havoc in opposing backfields.
“If you just do the research on me, you will see ups and downs in stats and then I’ve been in different systems and where I’ve been most productive is where I’m getting off the ball vertical,” Spires said. “I’m the least productive when I’m in reactive defensive systems and schemes like that. For example, at Bowling Green, they played me as a Sam linebacker, so I was dropping into coverage and couldn’t really produce well. But once I got to Utah State, they had me on the line of scrimmage and once I got to just going forward and no thinking and just going, I was productive and my film shows that.”
Spires said he’s at his best when he’s able to put his head down and attack, and that’s the opportunity he saw with the Panthers. He couldn’t say no.
He flashed some of that potential at Utah State, especially in 2023 as he recorded nine tackles for loss and five sacks, but he was injured for all but four games this season.
He’s healthy now, ready to show who he is in his final season of eligibility and couldn’t be happier that his chance is coming in Pittsburgh.
“One thing Pitt fans should know about me is they got somebody that actually wants to play for Pitt,” Spires said. “Somebody that’s gonna represent their school to the best of my ability because I’ve always wanted to — I don’t know if they remember Darrin Hall, he was a running back for Pitt a few years ago, that’s my cousin. And since then, I’ve been tapped in with Pitt.”
Spires wants to represent the city, the university and himself the best way he can — passionately. The chance at Pitt means everything to him. With the losses at defensive end, Nate Matlack, Sincere Edwards and Chief Borders all exiting the roster, Spires has a chance to make a name for himself.
