Pitt has its 18th recruit in the 2014 football class. JaQuan Davidson from Elizabeth Forward gave his verbal yesterday. For his high school, Davidson plays quarterback, but that is mainly because he is an outstanding athlete/playmaker and the goal is to make sure he has the ball as frequently as possible. He’s classified as an “athlete” by recruiting sites, with the expectation that he will either play wide receiver in the offense or could be a safety on defense.
He’s a 2-star player per Rivals.com. Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247 have him at 3-stars. His size is anywhere from 6-2 to 6-4 and 170-180 pounds.
While Davidson had offers from Illinois, Temple and UConn as well. In the end it came down to Pitt and West Virginia. He chose wisely.
“Pitt did a heck of a job,” EF coach Mike LeDonne said. “He feels comfortable with the staff.”
Davidson (6-foot-4, 185) was recruited as a wide receiver, LeDonne said, but could move to safety or cornerback. Davidson plays quarterback for Elizabeth Forward, where he transferred last year. A Duquesne native, Davidson attended West Mifflin as a freshman and McKeesport as a sophomore.
Prior to Thursday night’s game, he had rushed for 392 yards and four touchdowns and completed 21 of 44 passes for 489 yards and eight touchdowns.
LeDonne, a former Clairton assistant, has seen other players find success at Pitt. Davidson should find a similar fit, he said.
“Obviously, they’re loving it, so I feel pretty comfortable,” LeDonne said. “I know how they feel about the coaching staff. I think JaQuan will fit in great.”
Here’s some of his ESPN.com evaluation (Insider subs.)
| Size-Strength-Speed |
Davidson possesses very good size for an athlete. He has the physical tools to play more than one position on either side of the ball. Displays solid strength as he is a strong runner. His speed is just average as he appears to be a bit heavy legged. |
| Ball Skills |
Catches and runs with the ball well. Demonstrates an ability to catch it with confidence and ease. Running with it he is a strong runner that breaks tackles. |
| Versatility |
With his size he could be projected to be a Safety, a LB, a TE or a possession WR. |
I expect Davidson will be a redshirt if he moves to defense, given that they will be trying to figure out his best position and changing the side of the ball he plays. If they opt to make him a wide receiver I would not be surprised if he gets some early playing time.
Saw the application form, says Texas wants to be nationally prominent again.
No worries folks.
The fact that the PITT athletic program staff worked with this kid while he was transferring from school to school so that he’d meet the NCAA minimum class distribution requirements was the closer here.
It is interesting enough that it wasn’t his grades or actual success in academics that was the problem, those are fine. It was getting bad advice from guidance counselors early on in HS that would have precluded him from playing D1 ball.
That is the plan Chryst has put into place now that he’s here. The full 360 degree kid who will do well on and off the field.
We’ve already seen that Chryst & staff are pretty good judges of football skill as they fit into their plans for the program and team. After all 19 freshman have played this year and some have been key contributors. That doesn’t happen by chance.
Just heard on The Fan in the last few minutes: At practice at EF, Davidson was standing on the 35 yard line and asked the coach that if he was able to throw it thru the goalposts at the other end, will he end the session early. The incredulous coach agreed.
Practice ended early
I think he’ll end up a WR. His size/speed combo is perfect for it.
“We hear West Virginia is your favorite. Is that true? Yeah, they are my No. 1. I just have to decide what position I want to play. It’s just so hard because I like playing on both sides of the ball.”
That was on Aug 17th so kudos to our staff for turning him.
His speed is just average as he appears to be a bit heavy legged.
H2P
Davidson looks the part of a typical Chryst & Co. recruit, an under the radar late bloomer that probably will be a much better college player than he is in HS as he continues to develop both physically and in his football skills prowess.
One thing I especially like about this recruit already is his height, 6’4″,,,NICE.
No matter who you have on staff, you can’t coach a kid up to play TALL.
Welcome to the Pitt family Mr. Davidson.
Justin
Plan delete the comment regarding
recruitnDavidsom made by wbb.
Insensitive at best tasteless at worse.
I like that he made sure (along with the Pitt staff) his ducks were in a row for college. Again, not a grades issue but more of poor planning/mismanagement by former guidance counselors.
I always hate having the Zebra’s input be the deciding factor in games rather than just the players efforts determining the outcome, but it is still a very imperfect world, even in this digiital age of sports instant reply.
1. Fantastic gamed ruined in the end by the refs.
2. That kid should get something. Suspended for many games. That was one of the more horrible actions I’ve seen. He actually stopped, turned around, and then lunged directly at the guys two knees. It was like something out of the WWF. It was so blatant. If I was HIS coach, I’d be having a talk with him. Not only are you going to cost our team 15 yards, on a more human note, are you trying to end the kids career, what’s wrong with you??
Not sure what site posted this but unless they have his 40 time and evaluated him in person they have no clue. Apparently they define long strides as heavy legged.
Maybe we should inquire with our noted 40 yard time person ! Yes/ No….haha
The games are slow and confused. Like much of the viewing public. Sports again mimic society.
The Games shall go on !
On another note, the IRS is accepting payment checks, but not sending out refunds. Go figure !
Replay has cleaned this crap up.
There are drugs for this disease. I’m starting a charity for the young man.
Donate to Chas via Paypal and I’m sure he’ll forward me your generous donations.
So lets just be happy that the poster that you refer to has apparently been banned from this blog since we haven’t heard from JoeD like forever. OH $HIT, NOW I’VE DONE IT!
Yep now he will reincarnate. Under some other blogging name.
I wanted to wait until the Bucs game ended before I posted. Since I posted in the 3rd inning yesterday.
7-1 baby ! Cole pitching and hitting with an RBI. With a day off we can come back with Liriano now !
or Oprahitis.
Oliver Luck being named to that, suggests it won’t be long before Cornhole caves and decides to play those toothless billies in football & hoops.
That’s funny the metal baseball bat was introduced to lower costs for youth baseball.
Now we don’t have many youths playing baseball. At least not in America. (too busy with 1rst person shooter games)
Sounds like that might have been a Gov’t program.
While Davidson has made plays all over the field for Elizabeth Forward, his college position is still in question. He could be a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, but his can also use his size, speed and athleticism to be an impact player on defense. ”
Besides one really doesn’t need a ton of speed to be successful at WR. Devin Street isn’t a blazer and may well end up with PITT’s all-time receiving records.
I’ve disliked instant replay since it was instituted. I believe human error, by both players and refs, is part of the game.
With instant replay, you have to take the good with the bad. It does slow down the game, but better to get the right call. I would like to see balls and strikes called with technology.
No one should lose a game because of a call that could be corrected by technology (in or out of bounds etc.) There will always be some judgement calls, holding, interference etc. that have to be left to the ref. But many times the play happens to fast for the human eye. I am sure glad they have cameras on Boyd’s feet, he’s a magician.
That is why he isn’t commenting.
LET WHO EVER IS WITH OUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE
a lot of you in the years have said bad things
so get off his back
days ago.
i thought he added something to pitt blather i was sorry to see him leave.
when every one thinks the same and says the same thing it is boring that is why i like baseball and JD and you EMel and Wbb you are not boring you all add spice to the pitt blather.
Never fear gentlemen, Spitball is in the south of France, vacationing with his wife, er, inflatable doll. Hail to Pitt! UPone
I tend to slant optimistically since Pitt hired Paul Chryst. He gets it. My post were solidly against Fraud and Wifebeater. I liked Wanny and I like Chryst. Who knows, Wanny may take the reigns in Tampa Bay soon enough. But I digress. This is a solid pickup for the panthers.
I would like an update on the Conner Hayes injury. Is it serious? He is just country strong! Also, would be great to get an update on the local recruits. Thanks guys, it’s been awhile since I posted here.
Go Bucs!!! The karma is changing…..
