Pitt Football Recruiting Update

Over the next couple of months, Pat Narduzzi and his coaching staff are in position to land a bunch of recruits. Here’s my take on where they stand and which of them they have a good shot of getting.

As we close out the month of August, the Pitt 2016 recruiting class currently has 9 members: WR Ruben Flowers, QB Thomas MacVittie, DT’s Rashad Wheeler and Bryce Hargrove, LB Chase Pine, DB’s Bricen Garner and Maurice Ffrench, OL Brandon Ford and RB Chawntez Moss.

Here are some players both in the WPIAL and outside the state that Pitt is trying to close on.

Therran Coleman, CB (Brashear): Bringing him up first because earlier this week he announced that he’ll be making his decision this coming Sunday. Coleman will pick between Pitt, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Arizona State and Wisconsin. I think Coleman is deciding between Pitt, West Virginia and Wisconsin and on Sunday My guess is he’ll end up picking Pitt.

Kaezon Pugh, LB/RB (Aliquippa): Last week Pugh told DreamBackfield.com that he’ll be making his decision on October 19. The Aliquippa linebacker final 3 teams are Pitt, West Virginia and Maryland. This is a REAL tough call between Pitt and West Virginia but I’m saying Pugh picks Pitt.

Aaron Mathews, WR (Clairton): The tall WR (6-4) from Clairton has been a difficult guy to reach and therefore get a read on. Reportedly, his final 3 teams are Pitt, West Virginia and Maryland and like the previous two players, I’m predicting Mathews comes to Pitt. Tyler Boyd’s success will play a factor along with the relationship he’s developed with Pitt incoming QB Thomas MacVittie.

Khaleke Hudson, S (McKeesport): It appeared that Hudson was set to announce his decision a couple of weeks ago, but canceled the day before. His finalists are Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Michigan State, Virginia Tech and Wisconisn. Pitt hasn’t had luck with McKeesport players and I think that will continue. My call is West Virginia will be Hudson’s choice.

Theo Anderson, FB (Florida): For a 2 week stretch, Pitt seemed to have a ton of momentum with Anderson. However, that seems to have tailed down abit. At this point, I’m not going to guess a school for Anderson.

Darius Harper, OT (Ohio): If Harper ends up playing football over basketball, I’m saying he picks Pitt over Cincinnati.

Zack Gilbert, DE (North Carolina): Highly thought of recruit by Pitt. For the last couple of weeks, Gilbert has told me that he’s real close to making a decision from Pitt, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.  I believe Gilbert will end up following his father (Sean) and play for Pitt.

Damar Hamlin, CB ( Notre Dame): Hamlin is the recruit that Pitt fans want so baldy, along with every big time program in the country. Guess is that Hamlin is deciding between Pitt, Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame. IF Pitt can wins some games this year AND draw good crowds, I believe Hamlin will pick Pitt over Notre Dame. Keep in mind, those are 2 VERY important factors.

I also believe that Pitt will land 1 or 2 of these defensive players: DT Amir Watts, DE Christian Brooks, DE Patrick Jones or DE Jamal Smith.