Avonte Maddox

[Pittx9]

Not really all that much to do with football surprisingly, but was watching the Pitt-psu baseball game last night. Of course Pitt won 3-2. Narduzzi threw out the first pitch and some football players attended as well. Narduzzi was in the broadcast booth for an inning as was Maddox.

Anyways, narduzzi was saying he told the team about the game and he was going, and apparently Maddox got excited and told him he wants to play baseball too. He told him it's too late now but sounded like he absolutely would let him. Narduzzi said he talked to Jordano last night and mentioned and said to maybe keep an eye out next season as maybe Maddox will play then. Apparently he was a shortstop growing up.

 

[Swervin27]

Not really all that much to do with football surprisingly, but was watching the Pitt-psu baseball game last night. Of course Pitt won 3-2. Narduzzi threw out the first pitch and some football players attended as well. Narduzzi was in the broadcast booth for an inning as was Maddox.

Anyways, narduzzi was saying he told the team about the game and he was going, and apparently Maddox got excited and told him he wants to play baseball too. He told him it's too late now but sounded like he absolutely would let him. Narduzzi said he talked to Jordano last night and mentioned and said to maybe keep an eye out next season as maybe Maddox will play then. Apparently he was a shortstop growing up.

Trying out for baseball in spring of his senior year huh. Guess he's not holding out too much hope for the NFL. Probably a good decision.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

Not really all that much to do with football surprisingly, but was watching the Pitt-psu baseball game last night. Of course Pitt won 3-2. Narduzzi threw out the first pitch and some football players attended as well. Narduzzi was in the broadcast booth for an inning as was Maddox.

Anyways, narduzzi was saying he told the team about the game and he was going, and apparently Maddox got excited and told him he wants to play baseball too. He told him it's too late now but sounded like he absolutely would let him. Narduzzi said he talked to Jordano last night and mentioned and said to maybe keep an eye out next season as maybe Maddox will play then. Apparently he was a shortstop growing up.

I was at the game last night. Avonte was everywhere engaging people. The kid could run for mayor.

Check that....the kid SHOULD run for mayor.

He has a lot of that "it factor" intangible. If only he were two or three inches taller.

 

[Pittx9]

I was at the game last night. Avonte was everywhere engaging people. The kid could run for mayor.

Check that....the kid SHOULD run for mayor.

He has a lot of that "it factor" intangible. If only he were two or three inches taller.

In the booth they were asking him about a possible career in broadcasting. Definitely a really likeable kid.

 

[pitt2533]

I was at the game last night. Avonte was everywhere engaging people. The kid could run for mayor.

Check that....the kid SHOULD run for mayor.

He has a lot of that "it factor" intangible. If only he were two or three inches taller.

I was there as well with my 2 kids and 3 of their buddies. Speaking of the "it factor" Narduzzi also certainly has that. He is great with people. I was sitting near him and he was gracious and friendly to everyone who stopped to say hello. He even got the my kids and their buddies and led them in a "Let's Go Pitt" chant in the 9th inning. Was awesome.

 

[thebadby2]

Not really all that much to do with football surprisingly, but was watching the Pitt-psu baseball game last night. Of course Pitt won 3-2. Narduzzi threw out the first pitch and some football players attended as well. Narduzzi was in the broadcast booth for an inning as was Maddox.

Anyways, narduzzi was saying he told the team about the game and he was going, and apparently Maddox got excited and told him he wants to play baseball too. He told him it's too late now but sounded like he absolutely would let him. Narduzzi said he talked to Jordano last night and mentioned and said to maybe keep an eye out next season as maybe Maddox will play then. Apparently he was a shortstop growing up.

He was an excellent high school baseball player and basketball player as well. In fact, I don't believe he even started playing football until his junior year at MLKHS in Detroit.

On a side note, I love the environment the Dooz is creating. Staying engaged in all Pitt athletics, bringing his players with him to stuff, having a good time with his job and his players.

 

[pittdan77]

Narduzzi is doing things the right way.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

Narduzzi is doing things the right way.

Not to lead this discussion down the wrong path but, Stallings showed up pregame as well.

 

[pittzap]

He was an excellent high school baseball player and basketball player as well. In fact, I don't believe he even started playing football until his junior year at MLKHS in Detroit.

On a side note, I love the environment the Dooz is creating. Staying engaged in all Pitt athletics, bringing his players with him to stuff, having a good time with his job and his players.

If I recall correctly, there was some question of whether Avonte would give up football and concentrate on baseball before he signed his LOI.

 

[drp1tt]

Trying out for baseball in spring of his senior year huh. Guess he's not holding out too much hope for the NFL. Probably a good decision.

Can't hurt to have your ducks in order. I thought I read earlier in his recruitment he was being watched by MLB out of high school or something to that effect.

 

[Revenge Of The Noise]

Really like the spirit of Maddox (if not his size), on a better team and more help oriented secondary he likely would present better as an effective player and thus more of a fan favorite.

But unfortunately the last couple seasons, especially last, the (smallish) CB were left on islands (per design) but the front 7 couldn't generate much pressure, so QB had fish in a barrel opportunities to isolate and annihilate the CBs. Fans being what we are, many Just see the final ugly results of the play and get a negative picture in our head of the corners. It may not change much this season either unfortunately ... unless the DL is able to get to the QB, we likely will see more than less of the same.

 

[wbrpanther]

Not to lead this discussion down the wrong path but, Stallings showed up pregame as well.

That should in no way lead this discussion down the wrong path. I'm sure Stallings is a big baseball fan. Nice that he was there.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Staff loves Maddox. He'll start all season if healthy. He was easily the best CAB last season. Excellent in run support as well.

 

[Swervin27]

Staff loves Maddox. He'll start all season if healthy. He was easily the best CAB last season. Excellent in run support as well.

he'll start, we are fooling ourselves if we believe we can find 2 CBs better than him. flat out scary saying that but it is what it is. gonna take a few years to rebuild our CB talent and depth up. Hamlin's injury doesn't help..

saying he was our best CB last year is damning with faint praise to say the least..

 

[sonofabit]

Trying out for baseball in spring of his senior year huh. Guess he's not holding out too much hope for the NFL. Probably a good decision.

Nice. Refreshing take on this thread. Notice any difference between your post and the other posts about this remarkable student/athlete? Didn't think so.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

The only game that alarmed me regarding his play was Oklahoma State. He was fine in the others. There was a noticeable drop off when he was out for three weeks too. He was A LOT better than the other CBs last year. This year with the young talent improving and gaining experience, he'll still be top two or three.

 

[Swervin27]

Nice. Refreshing take on this thread. Notice any difference between your post and the other posts about this remarkable student/athlete? Didn't think so.

Valid point. I actually think Maddox is decent, just think it's a tad odd he is writing off any hopes or efforts of trying to get in NFL. Maybe he is a realist.

 

[ksquared33]

Maddox is a winner, someone who any coach would luv all his players to emulate as far as being a positive, hard working, tough kid.
Avonte had 2 games last year where teams w/ very good QB's & a couple big receivers got on a roll & took advantage of size. Maddox was in very good position for the most part but the QB's got in a groove & consistently placed the ball high & to the sideline. The fact that our D was getting no pressure just reinforced the groove that the qb/wr's got into.
There was enough blame to go around that often just got laid upon secondary players who by the way play positions that are thankless jobs. A DB almost never gets noticed unless it is because he's closest when a ball is caught on a big play. So many people only watch what the TV camera allow them or if in person wherever the ball is going thus they overlook or just dismiss everyone else on the field who may have blew their responsibility thus allowing the big play. The closest person to the ball when caught gets the blame....
I'll guarantee if you asked every coach in the ACC about what kind of football player Avonte Maddox was they would tell ya they wished they had 10 like him.
I'm not saying Avonte is NFL bound or on pace to have a All American sr. year but the kid is a whole lot better than gets repeated too often on this site.

H2 PITT !!!

 

[Pittx9]

He was an excellent high school baseball player and basketball player as well. In fact, I don't believe he even started playing football until his junior year at MLKHS in Detroit.

On a side note, I love the environment the Dooz is creating. Staying engaged in all Pitt athletics, bringing his players with him to stuff, having a good time with his job and his players.

I was thinking the same thing. The great coaches should usually be really involved throughout the school. Narduzzi seems to really love Pitt and promoting the school as opposed to just showing up for football practice and going home. Great face of the program.