Danielson Decides to Join TJ Teammate Palmer at Pitt

When a high school athlete commits to a college they are usually tasked with trying to recruit other players to join them in their recruiting class. When Thomas Jefferson defensive end Noah Palmer committed to Pitt on May 18, there was one player specifically that he knew he might have a good chance of convincing to join him in Oakland. After over month of persistence, Palmer’s workout partner finally committed to the Panthers as well. Palmer’s high school teammate and good friend, Devin Danielson, made his verbal commitment to Pat Narduzzi and the staff yesterday evening. The 6 ft 3 in, 290 lb Danielson became the 11th commit of Pitt’s 2018 class and the fourth WPIAL commit of the class.

Each of the 3-star recruits cited staying close to home as a major factor for choosing Pitt.

“Its where I grew up and it’s where I want to stay,” Danielson said.

Meanwhile Palmer, who measures 6 ft 4 in and 225 lbs,  liked the idea of being close enough for his family to come watch his games.

“How close it is to my family [made me chose Pitt] because I have five younger siblings and it just felt right because they could come see me and I could go see them,” Palmer said.

The proximity was enough of an attraction to Palmer that he committed just nine days after being offered by the Panthers. Danielson took a little more convincing but he says that Palmer was persistent with selling him on the idea of going to Pitt.

“He was constantly in my ear because we lift together every day,” Danielson said.

Palmer explained that the commits usually work in a group to recruit kids but Danielson was a little different.

“I worked Devin pretty hard but he was really the only one since we’re at the same school and I see him every day,” Palmer said.

Their chemistry doesn’t stop in the classroom or weight room either. On the field, the two are in the trenches together to make up one of the fiercest defensive lines in the WPIAL. Palmer was first team all conference last season and made one of his biggest plays of the season while in his future home, Heinz Field, when he had a 20 yard interception return touchdown in the WPIAL championship game. Danielson was first team all-conference as well and was also recognized as first team all-state. He turned down offers from schools like West Virginia, UCLA, Wisconsin, Louisville and more.  

Palmer describes his fellow lineman as, “very strong, athletic, quick off the ball, very strong defensive wise. Offensively he can block just about anybody,” Palmer said. “He has the potential to play either side of the ball but I know Pitt wants him for defense just because of that explosion he has off the ball and the way he uses his hands and stuff is just unreal.”

It was that type of explosion and athleticism from both players that caught the attention of Narduzzi and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge. Each lineman said those two coaches are who they talk to at Pitt the most. Palmer explained that Coach Partridge is always full of wisdom during their conversations.

“Me and Coach Partridge, we talk a lot,” said Palmer. “We’ve always talked about commits and the camp I did and we talk about how we’re going to watch a little bit of the film to show me what I could work on to get ready for the season and stuff.“

Getting ready for their senior season is the main priority for the TJ duo. When asked about the upcoming season they both had the same mindset.

“I have 3 goals: win the conference, WPIAL, then state championship,” Danielson said. “Hopefully we win championships this year then just keep on doing it [at Pitt].”

And Danielson doesn’t expect that championship-or-bust mentality to leave him, either. When asked about his plans while in Oakland, his goal is simple.

“I want to bring a national championship back.”