LINK:
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9866034-74/pitt-class-recruiting
EXCERPT:
The first time Pat Narduzzi saw Pitt's defense in person, the Panthers allowed Houston to score 29 points in less than 10 minutes in a 35-34 loss in the Armed Forces Bowl. That was a week after he was hired as Pitt's coach, before he applied his stamp. His most recent exposure to the defense was even more painful. Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds ran and threw for 270 of his team's 590 yards in a 44-28 victory against Pitt on Dec. 28 in the Military Bowl. In between those games, Pitt's defense showed marked improvement — Virginia Tech, for example, managed only 100 yards — but the need for speed remains. Just like it does throughout college football.
With the proliferation of speed-based offenses and increasingly mobile quarterbacks — Heisman Trophy candidate Deshaun Watson shows up on Pitt's schedule this year, and North Carolina and Georgia Tech are annual foes — colleges are recruiting with that in mind, analysts said. “Everybody is looking for that linebacker/safety hybrid type of player who never has to come off the field,” ESPN's Tom Luginbill said. “If (the offense) converts third-and-7 and then hurries up (to the line of scrimmage), the guy you had in that nickel role isn't a liability against the run.”
Narduzzi gets his first fair chance to address that problem Wednesday on letter of intent day. It will be only the third time in the past six signing days a Pitt coach had an entire year to build his recruiting class. Hired in early January or late December, Todd Graham (2011), Paul Chryst (2012) and Narduzzi (2015) had mere weeks to coax players to come to Pitt. Pitt's current class shapes up as one of the school's best since before former coach Dave Wannstedt was fired in 2010. Pitt has five four-star prospects — the most since 2008 — and its class is ranked 31st in the nation (tied with USC) and sixth in the ACC by Rivals.com.
Filling space
Pitt has 21 nonbinding, verbal commitments from recruits in eight states, some of them highly regarded regionally if not nationally. There are players at eight positions, plus three — Phil Campbell of South Brunswick, N.J.; Maurice Ffrench of New Brunswick, N.J.; and George Hill of Hubbard, Ohio — who could play in the offensive or defensive backfield. Twelve of the 21 play in space — defensive backs, linebackers, wide receivers and running back Chawntez Moss. They include four-star prospects Hill, wide receivers Ruben Flowers and Juwann Winfree, Aliquippa linebacker Kaezon Pugh and defensive tackle Amir Watts of Chicago. With Tyler Boyd going to the NFL and little experience behind him, pass catchers also are critical this year.
But the need is just as acute on defense. Narduzzi's scheme places pressure on cornerbacks' one-on-one coverage skills, and Pitt has targeted several tall, athletic players at that position. They include 6-foot-3 Henry Miller of Kissimmee, Fla., 6-1 Therran Coleman of Brashear, 6-foot Hill and 6-1 Damar Hamlin of Central Catholic. All but Hamlin have verbally committed, and he is being pushed toward Pitt by friends and classmates. He said he will choose Monday from among the Panthers, Penn State and Ohio State.
Miami is trying to flip Miller, and Pitt countered Monday by sending Narduzzi, both coordinators and two position coaches for an in-home visit. Pitt also has competition for Ffrench. He committed last summer but received a Penn State offer Monday. At 5-11, Ffrench might be better suited for offense. Brian Dohn, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com, noted, “He has a swing pass that goes forever.”
Dohn said it appears Pitt is looking for difference makers on defense. “It just might be (Pitt needs) more playmakers on the edge,” he said. “You are going to balance out your class regardless, but you want to get a lot of playmakers in space. You are looking to move safeties to linebackers and linebackers on the edge.”
A week ago, Luginbill glanced at Pitt's recruits list and noted many of the Panthers' top players are in the defensive front or secondary. “Everything starts up front,” Luginbill said. “Pat Narduzzi understands that as much as anybody.” Pitt finished 10th in the ACC last season in yards allowed per snap (5.69) and yards per completion (12.98).
MORE AT WEBSITE LINK!
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9866034-74/pitt-class-recruiting
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9866034-74/pitt-class-recruiting
EXCERPT:
The first time Pat Narduzzi saw Pitt's defense in person, the Panthers allowed Houston to score 29 points in less than 10 minutes in a 35-34 loss in the Armed Forces Bowl. That was a week after he was hired as Pitt's coach, before he applied his stamp. His most recent exposure to the defense was even more painful. Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds ran and threw for 270 of his team's 590 yards in a 44-28 victory against Pitt on Dec. 28 in the Military Bowl. In between those games, Pitt's defense showed marked improvement — Virginia Tech, for example, managed only 100 yards — but the need for speed remains. Just like it does throughout college football.
With the proliferation of speed-based offenses and increasingly mobile quarterbacks — Heisman Trophy candidate Deshaun Watson shows up on Pitt's schedule this year, and North Carolina and Georgia Tech are annual foes — colleges are recruiting with that in mind, analysts said. “Everybody is looking for that linebacker/safety hybrid type of player who never has to come off the field,” ESPN's Tom Luginbill said. “If (the offense) converts third-and-7 and then hurries up (to the line of scrimmage), the guy you had in that nickel role isn't a liability against the run.”
Narduzzi gets his first fair chance to address that problem Wednesday on letter of intent day. It will be only the third time in the past six signing days a Pitt coach had an entire year to build his recruiting class. Hired in early January or late December, Todd Graham (2011), Paul Chryst (2012) and Narduzzi (2015) had mere weeks to coax players to come to Pitt. Pitt's current class shapes up as one of the school's best since before former coach Dave Wannstedt was fired in 2010. Pitt has five four-star prospects — the most since 2008 — and its class is ranked 31st in the nation (tied with USC) and sixth in the ACC by Rivals.com.
Filling space
Pitt has 21 nonbinding, verbal commitments from recruits in eight states, some of them highly regarded regionally if not nationally. There are players at eight positions, plus three — Phil Campbell of South Brunswick, N.J.; Maurice Ffrench of New Brunswick, N.J.; and George Hill of Hubbard, Ohio — who could play in the offensive or defensive backfield. Twelve of the 21 play in space — defensive backs, linebackers, wide receivers and running back Chawntez Moss. They include four-star prospects Hill, wide receivers Ruben Flowers and Juwann Winfree, Aliquippa linebacker Kaezon Pugh and defensive tackle Amir Watts of Chicago. With Tyler Boyd going to the NFL and little experience behind him, pass catchers also are critical this year.
But the need is just as acute on defense. Narduzzi's scheme places pressure on cornerbacks' one-on-one coverage skills, and Pitt has targeted several tall, athletic players at that position. They include 6-foot-3 Henry Miller of Kissimmee, Fla., 6-1 Therran Coleman of Brashear, 6-foot Hill and 6-1 Damar Hamlin of Central Catholic. All but Hamlin have verbally committed, and he is being pushed toward Pitt by friends and classmates. He said he will choose Monday from among the Panthers, Penn State and Ohio State.
Miami is trying to flip Miller, and Pitt countered Monday by sending Narduzzi, both coordinators and two position coaches for an in-home visit. Pitt also has competition for Ffrench. He committed last summer but received a Penn State offer Monday. At 5-11, Ffrench might be better suited for offense. Brian Dohn, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com, noted, “He has a swing pass that goes forever.”
Dohn said it appears Pitt is looking for difference makers on defense. “It just might be (Pitt needs) more playmakers on the edge,” he said. “You are going to balance out your class regardless, but you want to get a lot of playmakers in space. You are looking to move safeties to linebackers and linebackers on the edge.”
A week ago, Luginbill glanced at Pitt's recruits list and noted many of the Panthers' top players are in the defensive front or secondary. “Everything starts up front,” Luginbill said. “Pat Narduzzi understands that as much as anybody.” Pitt finished 10th in the ACC last season in yards allowed per snap (5.69) and yards per completion (12.98).
MORE AT WEBSITE LINK!
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9866034-74/pitt-class-recruiting
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