Pitt FB Recruiting
‘The Best in PA, Stay in PA’: Ashton Blatt Blessed to Receive Pitt Offer
Ashton Blatt felt something change as he started texting Pat Narduzzi and Tim Daoust just about every day.
When the transfer portal closed, college coaches turned their attention back to the high school ranks, and Blatt started hearing from Pitt more and more. He’s a local kid, so it’s not as if he hadn’t heard from the Panthers, but the communication still felt different.
Blatt — a 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge rusher from Central Catholic in Pittsburgh — took another step with the Pitt Panthers as he visited for Junior Day this weekend, picking up an official offer from Narduzzi.
“It definitely means a lot because it’s my hometown team,” Blatt told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “Teammates like Ty Yuhas have went there, and he always talks greatly about it.”
After a great conversation with @CoachDuzzPittFB i’m excited to say I have received an offer from the University of Pittsburgh! 🔵🟡#HailToPitt @Pitt_FB @coachdaoust @CoachLehmeier @PCC_FOOTBALL @DL_Coach_Mazur @wpialsportsnews @RivalsFriedman @adamgorney @PghSportsNow @theking1 pic.twitter.com/nB6cjh8Tqn
— Ashton Blatt (@blatt_ashton) January 18, 2025
Blatt attended Junior Day with his mom, touring the facilities at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex with the coaches. Before the recruits left for the Pitt vs. Clemson game at the Petersen Events Center, Blatt was told that Narduzzi wanted to talk to him in his office. So, he went in, talked with Narduzzi for a bit and received the offer.
They didn’t talk long after, since the basketball game was starting soon, but Blatt did have a chance to spend the entire game with Daoust. And, as he said, it was an awesome opportunity.
Daoust has been the lead recruiter for Blatt, reaching out the most. And it makes sense considering the Panthers view him as a perfect fit on the outside.
“He wanted me to be a D-end,” Blatt said. “He said I’d fit into the scheme perfectly. He ran me through some film that they had, he showed me what I would do, he was giving me their blitz packages and some of the plays and stuff like that. He said I fit real well in their scheme.”
Blatt is new at defensive end, too. He may have led Central Catholic with 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks this season, but it was his first season playing on the defensive line. He actually entered his freshman season at quarterback, switched to linebacker midway through his freshman season and put his hand in the dirt this past season.
“I feel like coming from a quarterback point of view, I know some offensive formations, so when I’m out on defense I can pick up some formations and know what the play is before the ball is even snapped,” Blatt said. “I still have a lot to learn on defense; I’m learning every single day. But I feel like in my first year on the edge, I did really well.”
It was a nerve-wracking shift at first, but Blatt wanted to do it right, so he looked for inspiration. And found it in the form of Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt.
If he has time during a free period at school or is sitting at home bored, he turns to YouTube. Watt clips, highlights, whatever he can find.
If the stars were to align, with a potential commitment and a Watt extension, the two could share a practice facility one day. And while that would be a surreal moment for Blatt, his interest in Pitt goes beyond the connection to the Steelers.
“I think it’s a building program,” Blatt said. “They have great coaches, great coaching staff, great players and I feel like they could really make a big impact on college football. I really feel like they’re on the come-up. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot today.”
Blatt was more of a Pitt basketball fan growing up, but he’s found himself watching more football games over the last few seasons. Donovan McMillon, a fellow WPIAL recruit, is a player who has stood out.
McMillon might be a safety, but he’s a physical presence, which is exactly how Blatt feels the position should be played.
Blatt is a hard-hitting, physical player himself, and that style of play (in a big, athletic frame) has attracted some major interest. Duke and Michigan State are in heavy pursuit. He’s visiting the Spartans on Sunday and the Blue Devils next weekend — and his plans will be determined after that.
The only date set in stone right now is a commitment date — July 21, in honor of his grandmother. Blatt promised his grandmother he would be a Division I football player and could think of no better way to honor her than starting his journey in her honor.
July 21 is a long way away, and Blatt has a long way to go in his recruiting process, but the Panthers have put their foot in the door. Blatt said he was blessed to receive an offer from his hometown team; it means something as a Pittsburgh kid.
“I feel like the best in PA, stay in PA,” Blatt said. “So, definitely means a lot to me.”
