First thing’s first: Narduzzi’s coaching staff is finally complete with the addition of WR Coach Kevin Sherman. Sherman is currently the WR coach for Purude and prior to that held the same position at Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Sherman is known to recruit the DMV region, which makes him a valuable addition to compete with the rest of the ACC for east coast targets. Here’s a list of all the commits Sherman earned over the years and you’ll see a few guys currently in the NFL like Kendall Fuller and Jarrett Boykin.
On the offers front, apparently Pine Richland’s Ben DiNucci impressed the coaches during his workout yesterday and earned a Pitt offer. The 6’3″ QB is currently committed to Penn, but there’s no doubt the Pitt offer has that in serious doubt. He will visit this weekend and a verbal commitment is certainly possible.
Continuing with new offers, Mike Vukovkan’s new website broke news of a new target, LB Adrienne Talan. Talan has offers from SEC, B1G, PAC-12, and Big 12 schools. Pitt needs to get him in for an official visit this weekend as he already has one scheduled for the weekend of the 30th. LB Rob Harley has to sell Talan quickly and we’ll find out soon if he was successful.
Lastly on new offers, Pitt DL Coach Tom Sims is going to meet with Aliquippa DT Arrington Gipson. The Pitt to Quip pipeline suffered under Paul Chryst and adding Gipson to the class could patch up the relationship. Even better, Gipson is close friends with 2016 stud Kaezon Pugh. Pugh’s offer sheet looks like a list of P5 schools from Auburn to WVU. A combo of those two, even though Pugh wouldn’t come to Oakland under next summer, would be a great way to start building the fence around Beaver County again.
The “Pat Signal” went up over the weekend and again this morning. With the news of Sherman’s hire leaking today, my bet is the weekend Pat Signal was that. The one this morning? My guess is that Coatesville safety Jay Stocker committed. Stocker visited this past weekend and rumors suggested he was close to committing then. Narduzzi is in Eastern PA today according to a tweet from DE Shareef Miller so it’s a logical conclusion that he also visited Stocker. Verbals don’t stay quiet long, so if I’m right this will be out sooner rather than later.
Speaking of Miller, he recently picked up an offer from Florida, but he still has Pitt as a finalist along with Arizona State, Florida, PSU, and Rutgers. Narduzzi has an uphill climb for Miller due to the fact that he already had an official visit back in December under Paul Chryst. He’s close enough that an unofficial visit is possible, but time is not something Pitt possesses right now.
I’m sure I missed something just while typing this, but it’s incredible to see how hard the coaches are working right now to finish up this class. Paul Chryst and company were criticized for what appeared to be a lax recruiting style. Those days are gone. We’ll see if Narduzzi can pull some unexpected recruits away but at least we can’t criticize the effort.
Also Andre Powell, Special teams coach is supposedly a stud recruiter from that area as well.
It is interesting to see how Coach Duzz has staked out his recruit map…
Question, can anyone Kind of chart that out and overlap the recruiting areas of some of these coaches?
Conklin FL, ??
Harley, OH, midwest, FL ??
Salem??
Chaney ??
Petersen, OH, midwest
Powell and Sherman DC, Maryland, VI
Sims? NY east???
Hill -new, no real track record?
Coach Duzz.. believe midwest and also NJ/Maryland? eastPA?
Frankcann…
Plus, when u think about, all bringing in 6 or 7 new players will do is set the program back similar to our FB program. There is no reason to believe that the 4 aforementioned players along with Jeter and Luther will improve, just as the majority of players who have played under JD has over the years.
And to make a judgment on 6’11 Nix right now is absurd.
The positivity (I think I just invented that word)surrounding the football program is way beyond what we longsuffering Pitt fans have come to expect.
Don’t get me wrong. I really like the change in attitude, but it’s almost too much for my old brain to absorb.
Atlanta Panther, all due respect, I would hope the new chancellor would spell better than frankcan
Keep this class together and add 3 or 4 unknowns and I will be fine. Next year will be huge, but more importantly, we will need to win 7-9 games to have this bad boy crew just take off! C’mon now! Is Kaezon Pugh thinking about committing early? That would be a great start to next year.
I think we are all excited because the coaching staff uses social media to communicate to recruits and the fan base! Dare, I say, this is the anti-Chryst!
Upone, I am guessing that your proposal was somewhat tongue in cheek, but Jamie has let players with no future go when necessary.
I like Jones, I put him in the same category as Newkirk, they both have scoring potential and two more years to get better.
Best case scenario for next year that Ochebo gets a little more healthy, has a year to work on his game. Haughton learns to play defense, and finally we have a shot blocker and someone to protect the rim. Nix is schooled by Ontario and learns some of his moves. The three of them split the five well enough to keep Young at the four. DJ comes back strong and he, Artis, Young and Newkirk average over 15 points a game.The rest of the guys average another 15 and we hold the opposition to under 60 a game.
Either that or they come up with a real center.
One to wet your appetite with – Tavin Richardson WR/TE from SC had his top four picked long before X HCPC left and Pitt wasn’t in it. Today we find out that Pitt is in the picture and Tavin is liking the new staff and the renewed offer.
HTP!
But if he is for REAL, don’t see how Pitt would land him over others out West.
Shows you though that Narduzzi KNOWS he needs to DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE the Pass Rush if he is going to be successful installing his Defense which leaves D-Backs exposed if Quarterbacks have a lot of time to throw.
His best recruits thus far have been the coaches. They are a huge upgrade and a reason to be optimistic and excited for the future.
My point is that we should perhaps temper the expectations of recruiting just for the fact that these coaches have been selling their respective programs to recruits and have all changed allegiances with 4 weeks to go in the recruiting process. Do I expect some flips, absolutely. Will I be disappointed if we end up with 14 recruits in total, but keeping the core 10 we have now, not really. This isn’t the same as having low expectations. It is all about timing. Some kids won’t be able to take official visits because it is too late. I can’t blame them for not matriculating or for a coach not landing them. I think we might hear that story once or twice. The fact we are in a conversation says alot about effort. It will pay off.
That said, I think he and the staff will end up with a solid class. Next year is when we should see the fruits of this years labor. Give him time with the WPIAL coaches. Win more games than we lose. Change the culture. Have a plan and execute it.
I am leaning to the positive side for good reason, he has done an exceptional job so far, and is working hard to make good things happen.
For the first time in a long time, we have enthusiastic, experienced professionals on the road, with money in their pockets. It will pay off sooner and later.(they are reaching out to next year’s (2016) class too.)
Guessing there was a reason he chose to go so far West to attend School.
Also guessing if he was the REAL THING… there would be more Schools in closer proximity than Pitt that would want to bring him on board.
Looking at the “list” of Schools who are interested… see there is only a FEW and none from out West.
So there you go. Mr. Adesanya might NOT be the answer to Pitt’s Pass Rushing woes… or Anyone’s.
But Narduzzi going after a D-End seemingly capable of putting PRESSURE on the PASSER might show he knows where he MUST get IMMEDIATELY BETTER if he’s going to have a chance of running his Defense with any success next year.
Defensively, not so much, but our talent should be better next year. The question is whether the DL can win enough to allow the corners to press.
Just so you all know, I haven’t clicked on a Collier, Smizik or Cook article in over 5 years now. I come to blatherite nation for a sometimes balanced view of Pitt sports. Thank you!
@MillerShareef: I talk to the president at Pitt ????????????
@MillerShareef: The love is there at Pitt ??
@ChrisDokish: Chancellor Gallagher is actually calling a recruit at 11 o’clock at night. Seriously, let’s just build him a statue already.
I am picking up a little bit of negativism in your statements regarding the new coaching staff. I know in the past you felt Chryst was doing a good job way pass when (2 years ago) I gave up on him.
For some reason you don’t seem to want to give the new staff any slack.
No way can anyone consider this years recruiting class as Narduzzi’s. Simply because of the lack of time left to recruit.
Of course, if we see some obvious additions, the new staff deserves the credit.
I also like the direction this Chancellor is taking. So much easier colecting money when you have winning programs.
There is most certainly an expectation of success building the 2015 class up before LOI Day and Narduzzi is kidding himself if he “promised” not to turn any MSU commits to PITT. Every new HC does it and should… that is why these are verbal only commitments… every kid is up for grabs until Midnight 4 February. ?
HCPN was hired 12/26 and did not report to Pitt for work until 1/2/15. He chose the delayed start. One of his coaching hires was just yesterday, two weeks from the recruiting deadline.
@ dhuff comment – ‘staff changed allegiances with 4 weeks to go’. Not all of them…
@ gc comment – ‘if HCPN does not land a few blue chippers, he gets a pass.’ Maybe by you, but not by all Pitt fans…
@ Old Pitt Grad comment – ‘this is not HCPN’s recruiting class simply because of lack of time left to recruit.’ HCPN chose to burn that 1st week to coach MSU in their bowl game – that week delay is on him…
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m pumped up about this new staff, but I’m also sick & tired of SOP, so I don’t and won’t give these guys much of a pass on this class. I run a business and I don’t pay my sales team on effort alone. They have to earn their pay with effort and RESULTS.
HTP! – by the way, I renewed my four season tickets and parking pass – more of my $’s to go Pitt’s way when I start to see RESULTS.
Some on here have said adding 5 to this class would be a home run – IMO, it depends on who those 5 are. Four D players with 3 or 4 star ratings and a QB would be close (maybe a 2 run triple). I’m setting my expectations higher – 10 additional is my home run, with 15 added being a grand slam. We can sort out who stays during Spring and Fall camps.
Setting the bar high gives a motivated staff something to aim for – if they fall short, they haven’t failed, but may have achieved much more than doppling along like the previous staff.
HTP!
They all have houses to sell, new houses to find, and moving arrangements to make .. yet this is all on the backburner while they travel all over to find a handful of 3 star 17 year olds who may or may not help the program. Many of them are kids that the staff have never met before.
Cut this new staff a break, As I posted previously, if we are able to keep the current 10 commits and get a small handful of promising defenders, I am happy .. especially since Pitt has 15 returning starters plus many who have seen much PT.
Next year will be more important, and a much better indicator of how good this staff is at recruiting.
Wake up and smell the coffee. All these coaches fully appreciate the immediate task ahead of them and exactly how it will impact this squad into the future. Their priorities are in order. That’s why everyone has hit the bricks are all over Twitter and are in so many recruits homes, right now.
Any recruiting wins are Narduzzi wins. These guys appear to be a winning staff and are putting the effort forward now to get job done. I’m 100% behind this staff! I’m anything but negative! I’m ready to see the Panthers take the step forward to being really competitive in the ACC, NOW. That requires effective recruiting now, as well.
So when do YOU start expecting results from this staff, then? Winning is an attitude not a time frame. Any recruit they bring in over the next two weeks is a win. I’m ready to cheer them on now with expectations that they will have some immediate success. Once all of you fans that see this differently transcend your own inability to accept the reality that these guys CAN sell recruits on their future vision for Pitt football now and get them to become Panthers, THEN you will understand why my expectations are so much higher than yours. I’m not the typical Pitt fan I still believe and expect a winner.
Hail to Pitt!
If that isn’t “showing the love” at the highest level of the University of Pittsburgh, then I don’t know what is?
Chryst kept a class together, with a bunch of recruits everyone on here complained about because of their 2 and 3 stars.
Recruiting takes years of relationship building, not weeks. This isn’t about whether Nard had four weeks or five. We need to understand the recruiting game to fully appreciate what is going on. Time (years)and relationships are critical for schools like Pitt. We can’t swoop in at the last minute and get 4 and 5 star kids.
I do think he will land two, three and perhaps a four star this year and won’t be disappointed with that. It is not setting the bar low. It’s being a realist. If you were ever recruited, you would know that a coach coming in at the last hour is severely hampered…..unless you come from a powerhouse!
Well the reality is that we need immediate help on the DL, give me a 3* DL guy and 3• DE. We lost two starting LBs and have questionable depth there. Get me two good LBs. Our only QB recruit is no more. It’s essential to have a QB sign this year.
This staff understands these facts and they will do their best to make sure these deficits are adequately addressed in this class. If you expect any less as a fan then temper your enthusiasm because that is very doable.
Expect mediocrity instead, then don’t complain about it later when you get what you expected all along.
In my post about Gallagher talking to Miller, I actually was saying I think it is a great thing that he did that. I think it clearly shows his support of the program, and fans and alums will eat it up. All good.
I just questioned, and still do, whether it actually sways a recruit. I did read what Miller said after the call. Hey, if he says it helped sway him I’m all for it.
But there is a different flavor to our recruiting situation now then there was in 2011. After Todd Graham took the midnight express PITT football program’s reputation was at its lowest point in decades. There were not any kids looking at PITT as their top choices unless they were in our backyard.
Having a HC leave to take a true ‘dream job’ at his alma mater is a different thing altogether then a HC skipping out with four years left on a contract. Coupled with the dust settling and the program being stabilized in Chryst’s three years, it is a much more attractive place for the HS kids to look at playing their college ball. I think Narduzzi has a much easier sell at this point then Chryst had in ’11. Add in the youth of the two deep and a recruit can also see that the program is (probably) in for better things.
I happen to like this recruiting class so far. Most of our 3* kids have solid offers from other B5 schools and our two 4* kids were heavily recruited. I would think that some of the better 3* defensive recruits still uncommitted would love to play for a guy like our D-minded and proven DC new HC. We’ll see.
As Erie said above, 3 or 4 decent defenders and a strong QB is what is needed to round out the class. Narduzzi should easily be able to fill the remaining scholarships he has open and he’s out trying to do just that – no complaints on that issue with me. This staff has gotten a lot more recruiting $$ and is using it.
Overall, PC and staff did a super job at OL, TE and RB .. and a good job at WR. Obviously, their failure was on the defensive side.
And once again, you can’t expect a staff in a short time to develop trust, especially when these quality candidates have so many other attractive offers. And also once again, OUR expectations are meaningless.
With your two lower levels of expectation, I’m hoping you work for my competition. LOL
situation is not accepting mediocrity.
H2P
Glad to see you have re-upped for the 2015 football, but I think your comment that “more of my $ to go to Pitt when I see the results” shows a lack of faith in what Gallagher has done. Actions speak louder than words and Gallagher’s actions of firing SP, increasing the salaries for assistant coaches, increased recruiting budget, and willingness to call a recruit tells me Pitt is all in. These actions need to be supported by increasing one’s donation in 2015 to the athletic dept. We the fan have been given much by Gallagher and we should reflect this faith by increasing our financial support. It doesn’t have to be big bucks every little bit helps. What better way to demonstrate to Gallagher that the efforts and finances committed to Pitt football will have a payback to the University than through increasing our contributions. Show Gallagher some early payback for all his efforts.
Next year my expectations of a really good recruiting class will be much hgher but I certainly am not going to take this new staff to task if this year’s class doesn’t meet your expectations.
And this angle from Dr Tom that this class is important … I disagree in large part due to ths past year’s team being the youngest in the NCAA. I would rather they have more schollies next year than to take a chance on a high risk candidates just to raise the numbers.
The rub with Brigsby was we had Bam (1/2 brother) in the fold already. Is that right or is that someone else?
I agree that some three star additions would be fine for this class and that is what I expect. Someone else pointed out that we probably shouldn’t be going after 2 stars just to fill a class and get numbers. I say poppycock. The CEO is in charge and if he wants to bring in 2 stars and no stars that’s fine with me. This will prove out in about four years.
Going forward, these recruiters will do wonders!
@Erie – Name me a sales manager that turned around a company’s sales in the last month of a fiscal year, when the product that has been sold for the last 30 years was mediocre. A dash of realism with expectations is preferred versus expecting a bunch of four stars to come walking through the door at the last minute. Can we get some? I hope so. Are there many of those left? Not sure.
HTP $
Perception is reality, and currently oursremain different from one another’s. Here’s hoping that you will be amazed, because it’s all good when that comes to pass.
Sic em Nard Dog!
I had no idea I was such a pariah of the Blather!
LOL
The reality is the results from what occurs on the field
Regarding recruiting, there are also a few new coaches in the game after some players in Michigan, especially.
Still, hoping to hear good news soon.
opinions greatly!
Keep em coming! Hoping we get some good recruiting news soon. Had to laugh last night when watching Batman Begins or something like that. As soon as I saw the bat signal, I chuckled, got off the couch and checked in to see if there was any Pitt news! Wife can’t wait for February 5th!
Islands or Bewitched episodes.
My Mom always said I was stuck in the past.
Eh, maybe I am.
As far as Batman, anyone familiar with the original Batman movie.
“some days, you just can’t get rid of a bomb”
LOL, good day to you sir.
I feel strongly Narduzzi and staff will improve on this class over what Chryst would have done had he stayed.
No question about it. These guys look good in what they do. The kids see this. There will be some immediate results. However, the more time the more results
Erie Express, come on, you expect these guys in one mo- to six weeks to match what the top 40 programs in the Country had at least a year to do? There are other good coaches out there.
X Pitt HCPC apparently has the charisma with that magnetic personality of his to lure two of his former Pitt recruits to Wisconsin. Is it too much to ask to have the same occur with our newly installed staff?
Narduzzi doesn’t need or want your excuses, Dan. What Nard Dog wants, and probably expects from himself and his staff are results. Me too. Preparing excuses prior to even needing them is the epitome of Pitting.
No more Pitting, no more excuses. Just show me some recruiting results, no miracles required, just “reasonable” results. Rational expections, that’s all I’m asking for.