Well, it's here:
Central Catholic defensive lineman Elliot Donald is announcing his commitment today.
We've said for a long time that we expect it to be Pitt, and nothing has changed in that regard. We don't know what time he's announcing - I'm not sure if he has a time scheduled - but when he makes his announcement today, Pitt should be the selection.
If Donald does pick Pitt, that will move the Panthers to No. 26 in the Rivals.com national class rankings and give them two four-star prospects in the class of 2021. The other four-star commitment is Nahki Johnson, another local defensive line recruit who has picked Pitt.
What will be interesting to watch is whether or not Donald's commitment starts a reaction. Obviously there are some other top targets out there locally. Specifically, Pitt is working hard on Baldwin lineman Dorien Ford, North Allegheny tight end Khalil Dinkins and Gateway linebacker Derrick Davis.
Out of those three, Davis is probably the tallest order. I think Pitt is in better shape than most and the Panthers are getting serious consideration in Davis' recruitment. But I also can't call them the favorite, and if I had to pick, I would say he's probably going to Ohio State or Penn State.
Ford and Dinkins, on the other hand, are a different story. We've discussed it this week, but things seem to be trending in Pitt's direction with Ford; I've called it a dead heat with Penn State in recent weeks, but there has been a slight advantage to the Panthers and that advantage seems to be growing.
I also think Pitt is in a strong position with Dinkins. He's a tough kid to get a read on, but I've heard some things recently from a few sources who think the Panthers are high on his list - high enough that they might be approaching the level of being considered his top option. We'll see how that plays out, but I'm currently considering the real possibility that Pitt could get five of the top seven recruits in the WPIAL this year with Donald, Johnson, Ford, Dinkins and Stephon Hall.
That would be a really good class locally and one of the best WPIAL classes Pitt has signed in years.
It all started with Johnson last summer. And it should continue with Elliot Donald today.
Central Catholic defensive lineman Elliot Donald is announcing his commitment today.
We've said for a long time that we expect it to be Pitt, and nothing has changed in that regard. We don't know what time he's announcing - I'm not sure if he has a time scheduled - but when he makes his announcement today, Pitt should be the selection.
If Donald does pick Pitt, that will move the Panthers to No. 26 in the Rivals.com national class rankings and give them two four-star prospects in the class of 2021. The other four-star commitment is Nahki Johnson, another local defensive line recruit who has picked Pitt.
What will be interesting to watch is whether or not Donald's commitment starts a reaction. Obviously there are some other top targets out there locally. Specifically, Pitt is working hard on Baldwin lineman Dorien Ford, North Allegheny tight end Khalil Dinkins and Gateway linebacker Derrick Davis.
Out of those three, Davis is probably the tallest order. I think Pitt is in better shape than most and the Panthers are getting serious consideration in Davis' recruitment. But I also can't call them the favorite, and if I had to pick, I would say he's probably going to Ohio State or Penn State.
Ford and Dinkins, on the other hand, are a different story. We've discussed it this week, but things seem to be trending in Pitt's direction with Ford; I've called it a dead heat with Penn State in recent weeks, but there has been a slight advantage to the Panthers and that advantage seems to be growing.
I also think Pitt is in a strong position with Dinkins. He's a tough kid to get a read on, but I've heard some things recently from a few sources who think the Panthers are high on his list - high enough that they might be approaching the level of being considered his top option. We'll see how that plays out, but I'm currently considering the real possibility that Pitt could get five of the top seven recruits in the WPIAL this year with Donald, Johnson, Ford, Dinkins and Stephon Hall.
That would be a really good class locally and one of the best WPIAL classes Pitt has signed in years.
It all started with Johnson last summer. And it should continue with Elliot Donald today.
