PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While only 16% of the recruiting class game from the WPIAL and just over a third from Pennsylvania, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said they got some impact players and believes there more talent in PA than perceived.
Among the WPIAL players is linebacker Cam Lindsey, also recruited by several Power 5 programs. From the state, Narduzzi believes running back Juelz Goff can be a game breaker, especially in the new offense Narduzzi believes he will have this year.
“It’s the quality of football in this area, the WPIAL, that’s still there,” Narduzzi said. “Sometimes people think it’s gone, it’s down. The quality of football that we have in this state and the quality of coaching. It’s the coaching, the development, the love of football and the love of Pittsburgh that brought them all here. It tells you Pennsylvania is still playing a lot of really good football.”
Narduzzi pointed to WR Kenny Johnson, a freshman this past season out of York as another example of impact players from Pennsylvania. The Pitt head coach smiled in saying he’s good if other coaches don’t believe there is talent in the Commonwealth.
WPIAL trio
Cam Lindsay (LB, 6’, 200 pounds, Aliquippa)
· Stats-118 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 11 touchdowns (2 defensive), state champ
· Of Note-all-section basketball player, 2-time state runner-up
Pat Narduzzi said he could be a player like now Tampa Bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis where he can play inside or outside linebacker.
“He’s really smart,” Narduzzi said. “He’s athletic. We think he’s got great speed. He’s got great athleticism. We think he’s got a great mind for the game and he’s focused on what he wants to do. The focus part is important.”
Ty Yuhas (DL, 6’3”, 265 pounds, Central Catholic)
· Stats-43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks as a senior
· Of Note-an all-conference baseball pitcher for the Vikings
Pat Narduzzi said his family was all Pitt and when he got his offer out of a Pitt summer camp, he said he immediately said yes.
“This guy is a Pitt guy, he wants to be at Pitt,” Narduzzi said. “That’s important to me. He’s been at every game. Win or lose Ty is with us and we are happy to have him.”
Julian Dugger (QB, 6’3”, 195 pounds, Penn Hills)
· Stats-4,984 passing yards, 1,939 rushing yards, 2,422 total yards senior season
· Of Note-17th best dual-threat QB by Rivals, starting forward on WPIAL championship basketball team
Narduzzi said he asked Dugger to draw up a play for him recently and he did it in more detail than a lot of coaches he knows. He said he was blown away by his knowledge.
“He’s talented,” Narduzzi said. “He’s athletic. He’s not like an athletic quarterback where we are just going to make up all of these quarterback runs now. I don’t want to put him in the box of he’s a dual-threat. I think he’s a drop-back quarterback that is athletic enough to get out of trouble, make plays with his feet. He can throw the ball. He’s got great touch and is really, really intelligent.”
Early enrollees
Panthers will have nine players give up their final five months of high school to enroll early at Pitt.
· OL Moritz Schmoranzer
· Dugger
· RB Juelz Goff
· DL Francis Brewu
· DL Sincere Edwards
· DL Zach Crothers
· LB Jeremiah Marcelin
· DB Allen Bryant