PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi started off talking about his 21-member recruiting class of it being a doozy. Which we don’t believe was a play on his nickname, rather he believes his found a style of player that can help Pitt going forward.
What you kept hearing from the Pitt coaches on National Signing Day is how they wanted versatility, toughness and speed. That was at any position, it’s notable every offensive lineman is at least 6’4”.
The top ranked player in the class according to 247 Sports is also the lone WPIAL
signee, Thomas Jefferson offensive lineman Shep Turk. He’s grown and gained weight this season to measure at 6’5”, 275 pounds and while many offensive linemen will be slotted into tackle, guard or center coming in, they want to see where his best position is during practices.
“He’s a local legend,” said Pitt offensive line coach Jeremy Darveau. “One of the best highlight tapes you’ll ever watch because that guy is out here rolling off the football, moving people. One of the best things about him is he will do whatever you ask.”
“He is Pittsburgh through and through. He’s kind of glued this class together. He’s always talking to the other recruits, he and the quarterback.”
Pitt also able to get a player to flip from Louisville to play at Pitt. Running backs coach Lindsey Lamar said they just stayed in contact with West Palm Beach, Florida’s Jaylin Brown. At 5’10”, 190 pounds, Lamar believes the All-ACC season by Panthers running back Desmond Reid contributed to their ability to get him at the last minute. That, and they never stopped pursuing him. Brown averaged more than eight yards per carry this season at Cardinal Newman HS.
There is one quarterback in the class, 6’2”, 215-pound Mason Heintschel from Oregon, Ohio (Toledo area). Offensive coordinator Kade Bell said they found a steal and at the end had to do everything they could to hold onto him as reportedly Michigan (45 minutes from his home) was making a late push. Bell said he was the highest rated QB on their board.
“I think what separates him from other quarterbacks is his play-making ability,” Bell said. “He naturally makes plays. He makes it off of feel and I think that’s what makes him special. He can do things others can’t do.”
A baseball and basketball player as well, Bell said he throws a catchable ball with nearly 10” hands. Bell said they saw him in a bad weather game and Heinstchel was able to perform well and the conditions didn’t bother him. He said what also stuck out is the Ohio native will do anything to get a first down.
“He’s not just the best player on the field, he’s the toughest player on the field,” Bell said.
The breakdown of the class overall (9 states & 1 from England)
· 4 offensive linemen
· 3 receivers
· Tight end
· 3 running backs
· Quarterback
· 3 defensive linemen
· 2 linebackers
· 2 cornerbacks
· 2 safeties
Other notes
· Two-thirds of the class will enroll mid-year (7 on offense-including the QB, 7 on defense), so they will go through Spring drills.
· All were signed by 8:42 Wednesday morning
· They got 19 of the 31 players who made official visits
· 11 of the players were captains in high school
· Pitt great Shady McCoy called CB Shawn Lee to confirm his commitment as they are both from Harrisburg
Narduzzi would like National Signing Day to move from December to June. For decades players signed the first week of February, only recently was it moved to December.
“I can’t believe it didn’t move this year,” Narduzzi said. “It makes absolutely no sense to bring kids in the month of June and then wait six months to sign them. They forget who you are. They forget what the whole thing was like.”
“It’s a mess right now as the NCAA is.”