Pitt secured its first recruit under the Paul Chryst regime last night when Mike Caprara verballed to the university.  Some PITT fans will like this but I’m thinking the majority will either be skeptical because of Caprara’s size or just will hate the offer right off the bat.  Caprara is 6′  tall &  200 lbs … and that will scare some fans off.

But the reviews of his work, especially on defense, are glowing.  Here’s what Lichtenfields of Scouts.com has to say:

“Caprara is a tough kid who gives you a maximum effort every time out. He is very instinctive and almost seems like having another coach out on the field. He is very solid against the run and can cover. There have been a number of FBS players on the Wolverines defense over the past three seasons, but Caprara may be the best. He is a leader that takes charge and leads by example.“

Here is some background on his HS career before this season started.

Then there is this fact regarding his Woodland Hills career; “Caprara, 6-foot, 210 pounds, is the all-time leading tackler in Woodland Hills history, setting the mark before his senior season and finishing his career with more than 350 tackles“.  For a more rounded view of Caprara there is this info.  Before you fall out of your seat remember that Hershel Walker took ballet lessons in college.

What does all of this tell me?  That the kid is comfortable on a big stage when the lights go on and with that he’s confident that he can succeed at anything.  I like it.  These kind of kids, guys who play their heart out in HS and rack up big numbers, can go either way when it comes to success in the college ranks.  Some don’t cut it and others end up doing well on special teams.  But the confident ones thumb thier noses at the naysayers who think they are  too small to play college ball, and then go out and light up the field with their talent.

Here’s some game tape for you to watch and make up your own mind, Caprara is #30 on defense.  I’ll just throw this reminder out when you are debating what is his ceiling in college football…

 Andrew Taglianetti