Pitt FB Recruiting
‘It Felt Different:’ Pitt Shows Love to Local DT Target on Spring Visit
Many of the high school recruits visiting Pitt this weekend will be doing so for the first time.
However, that certainly isn’t the case with North Allegheny 2026 three-star defensive tackle Lincoln Hoke, who attended Pitt’s second spring practice this morning. While it wasn’t his first trip to the South Side, it was the first time Hoke visited Pitt as a player with an offer from his hometown team and as a player they are seriously pursuing.
Following practice and conversations with the coaches, Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Hoke about the day and current feelings about Pitt.
“I loved watching the intensity of the practice and the way Coach Daoust coaches the d-line and his true intent of trying to get them better and develop them,” said Hoke. “I saw a lot of excitement out there during the team periods, a lot of players competing and I felt a lot of energy watching the practice. It was awesome.”
Being a defensive lineman, Hoke spent a lot of time watching the Pitt defensive line and Pitt defensive line coach Tim Daoust.
Courtesy Lincoln Hoke
“I was watching the specific techniques that coach Daoust was teaching them along with their execution of the techniques. As I was there, I was thinking to myself what I would do if I was in their position. I was also watching and noticing the intensity of coach Daoust.”
As alluded to earlier, today was different for Hoke in the sense that this was his first time at a practice while holding an offer from Pitt. The other times in attendance, Hoke was hoping to receive an offer from the Panthers. Did today feel different to him?
“I think it did, Yeah,” said Hoke. “It felt different and a bit special. You’re there realizing that these coaches would like me to play for them and the decision I have to make is a serious one. I need to be there really looking at everything they have to offer and take everything into account. Being there today, I really did feel so much love from the Pitt coaches. The fact that they’re really pushing for me to go there is a special feeling and I feel really grateful for that.”
Courtesy Lincoln Hoke
Following Pitt’s practice before he left, Hoke and his father, a former Steeler defensive tackle Chris Hoke, had a chance to go to Pat Narduzzi’s office and to have a meaningful conversation with him.
“It was an awesome talk. He was asking me how I thought practice went. He continued to express how much he wants me to go there and how much him and the coaching staff love me. We then talked about ball and life. It was a lot about just reassuring the love that they have for me.
“This is a big decision in my life,” said Hoke. “I’m just going to really look at all the options I have and really examine what really is the best decision for me . The big message that my dad always tells me is go to who wants you the most and go somewhere where they’re going to fight for you and where you’re wanted.”
Hoke says he’s remaining patient with the recruiting process and taking things day by day.
In terms of upcoming visits, Hoke will be making an unofficial visit to Penn State on April 5, and has an official scheduled at Pitt from June 5-7.
wpDiscuz