Tornado Hits Pitt as Kradel Commits to Panthers

Yesterday Pat Narduzzi and his staff got a big commitment for their 2018 recruiting class as 3-star lineman Jake Kradel announced he will stay local and play for his hometown team.  The Butler Golden Tornado, who held offers from Ohio State, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Iowa and over 20 other schools, called staying home a “no brainer” and “a blessing come true.”

“Being able to perform in front of all my family and friends and put on for the city, it’s just something I’ve always dreamed of,” Kradel said. “I’ve always been a Pitt fan and had season tickets, you know, going down there on Saturdays like, ‘man, one day I want this to be me,’ and it’s a reality now, it’s finally here. I got the opportunity and I seized the moment.”

Kradel, who is 6 ft 4 in and 285 lbs, committed while on a visit to the school and says his time on campus is what sealed the deal.

“I kind of had the vibe I might commit,” Kradel said. “Then seeing the campus and seeing everything about it and sitting down with the academic [advisor], the guy who runs the whole ordeal, I loved what they had to say. Then Coach Narduzzi, he sold it all.”

Kradel described Narduzzi’s office as being filled with emotion after the lineman informed the coach of his decision.

“We were just talking about my top schools and if I really want to go that far away,” Kradel said. “Before I went in his office I knew I was committing so I kind of played it out a little bit. We were just talking about that and then I said ‘you know what, I’m going to shut down my recruiting. I’m coming home.’ And he said ‘really?’ And I said, ‘yes I’m committing,’ and he just jumped up and gave me a huge hug. He was pumped, I was pumped, my mom started crying and it was all good.”

Along with being excited, Kradel says he feels relieved and is looking forward to building a national contender at Pitt.

“All the stress is off my shoulders so I can focus on my senior season with my boys and change the program around up here and then focus on helping Pitt recruit other guys and get some of the other top dogs in the WPIAL to Pitt and make this a special one,” Kradel said.

The Butler product, who joins Thomas Jefferson defensive lineman Noah Palmer as the Panthers’ second WPIAL commit of the class, says he will be putting in a lot of effort to get other recruits to consider Pitt as well.

“I’m going to follow some of these guys and kind of chirp in their ear a little bit and say what’s up, come to Pitt,” Kradel said. “There’s a couple guys I’m pretty close with that I think are leaning towards Pitt so I’m hoping they pull the trigger pretty soon. That would be sweet.”

As far as his own recruitment, Kradel says he will not take any more visits.

“I’m 100% shutting it down. Its off. There’s a Wisconsin/Iowa visit I had coming up in a week but I had to text them and give them an ‘I ain’t comin,’” Kradel said. “I am 110% committed. I am just going to stick to my word and it’s all Pitt from now on.”

As far as his plans for once he gets to Oakland, Kradel wants to build off the foundation that has already been put in place.

“I just want to keep the tradition going with the football and the o-line tradition and keep winning and hopefully bring a championship to Pittsburgh.”