Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt Lands Commitment from Louisville WR Cataurus Hicks
Pitt wanted to revamp its wide receiving corps this offseason, and that’s certainly been the case as the coaches have added three portal receivers.
Louisville transfer wide receiver Cataurus Hicks — a 5-foot-10, 180-pound wide receiver from Miami, Fla. — is the latest wide receiver commitment, pledging himself to the Panthers following a visit to town this week. He’s a nice pickup, one that fits the offensive scheme well.
Pitt has already added commitments from Florida State transfer Deuce Spann and Florida transfer Andy Jean, completely retooling a wide receiving corps that struggled down the stretch this season.
Hicks was a three-star recruit out of Miami Central in the class of 2023, committing to Miami over offers from Akron, Bowling Green, CMU, Charlotte, FAU and Tennessee.
He played just two games as a true freshman, preserving his redshirt. He broke out this season as a reserve option this season, flashing an impressive skill set at times.
In 12 games this season, Hicks recorded 12 receptions for 149 yards (12.4 yards per reception). According to Pro Football Focus, he lined up just about equally in the slot and out wide, which would be a good addition for the Panthers. He had the best game of his short college career against Pitt this season, hauling in six of six targets for 63 yards.
The Pitt spring semester has started, but that doesn’t mean recruits can’t still commit and enroll — but there isn’t a whole lot of time either. Hicks will likely move fast in his recruitment.
Kenny Johnson is the lead Pitt wide receiver slated to return (even if he hasn’t officially announced he’s returning yet), and there are a lot of question marks outside of him. Poppi Williams and Censere Lee Jr. would likely start if the season started today (and Lee was healed from his season-ending injury).
Tyreek Robinson has a lot of potential in the slot, and Zion Fowler-El is in the mix at either of the outside receiver spots. The true freshmen have an opportunity, too, but if the receiving corps is to bounce back from a disastrous second half, it will likely be because Spann and Jean stepped up.
And now Hicks will have the opportunity step into immediate playing time, too.
