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BOTTOMLESS PITT... link to article in Roar Lions Roar

Still, the Pitt OL could be something special in coming years.

At the tackle position, there will be two new starters, and both will also probably be players that are new to the team. At left tackle, the starter will be 6'5" 305 pound redshirt senior Stefano Millin, a graduate transfer from Kent State, unless something very unexpected happens. He's coming from a poor team, but he has the potential to be drafted in the NFL with a good year. At the very least, he should be serviceable. At right tackle, the favorite to start will be 6'5" 310 pound redshirt junior Chase Brown, a junior college transfer that is strong and has quick feet. If he makes the transition to full-time starter, the tackle position should at least be solid.

Opposite Bookser at guard could be one of many different possibilities. The candidates include 6'4" 310 pound redshirt senior Mike Herndon, 6'4" 310 pound redshirt sophomore Bryce Hargrove, 6'6" 350 pound redshirt sophomore Justin Morgan, 6'5" 310 pound redshirt sophomore Brandon Ford, 6'6" 280 pound redshirt freshman Gabe Houy, and 6'5" 325 pound redshirt freshman Carter Warren.
 
Still, the Pitt OL could be something special in coming years.

At the tackle position, there will be two new starters, and both will also probably be players that are new to the team. At left tackle, the starter will be 6'5" 305 pound redshirt senior Stefano Millin, a graduate transfer from Kent State, unless something very unexpected happens. He's coming from a poor team, but he has the potential to be drafted in the NFL with a good year. At the very least, he should be serviceable. At right tackle, the favorite to start will be 6'5" 310 pound redshirt junior Chase Brown, a junior college transfer that is strong and has quick feet. If he makes the transition to full-time starter, the tackle position should at least be solid.

Opposite Bookser at guard could be one of many different possibilities. The candidates include 6'4" 310 pound redshirt senior Mike Herndon, 6'4" 310 pound redshirt sophomore Bryce Hargrove, 6'6" 350 pound redshirt sophomore Justin Morgan, 6'5" 310 pound redshirt sophomore Brandon Ford, 6'6" 280 pound redshirt freshman Gabe Houy, and 6'5" 325 pound redshirt freshman Carter Warren.

So your left tackle situation is a grad transfer from the MAC who didn’t make the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd all-MAC team at any point in his 4 years there.

Your right tackle situation is a 3 star, 11th ranked JUCO tackle prospect who originally went to James Madison coming out of HS.

Yeah, sounds awesome.
 
Jake Kradel is another beast OG Pitt has recruited for 2018.
Kradel's profile rose after an early-January trip to San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl national combine, an invitational event for high school juniors.

“When I had about five offers, I thought: ‘I'm going to try to commit by the end of April or early May,' ” Kradel said. “But now, I want to get a feel for all of these schools. I'm still thinking mid-May, maybe early summer. I want to do it before the season.”

Kradel was a two-way tackle last season for Butler and earned all-conference honors on defense. He held his own in a lineman-heavy Class 6A conference with two Notre Dame recruits (Central Catholic senior Kurt Hinish and North Allegheny senior Josh Lugg) and a Penn State recruit (Central Catholic senior C.J. Thorpe).

“He looked at it as a challenge, and he was pretty successful every game,” Butler coach Rob Densmore said. “He's right up there with those guys. … When the college coaches are looking, they want to see you going against the best of the best.”

Kradel will switch this season to an interior spot on the offensive line, either at guard or center. Colleges project him on the interior, so he wants to learn those positions now.
You are the King of cut and paste - quess what we don’t really care. Pitt is not going to be competitive with PSU anytime soon and after 2 more years the interest will drop to zero - you coach is a tool and your outlook is mediocre at best.
 
So your left tackle situation is a grad transfer from the MAC who didn’t make the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd all-MAC team at any point in his 4 years there.

Your right tackle situation is a 3 star, 11th ranked JUCO tackle prospect who originally went to James Madison coming out of HS.

Yeah, sounds awesome.

That post made me chuckle, too. The Kent State Star has potential to be drafted, yet was eligible this year and knew better. A JUCO right tackle would AWESOME. Book ends of Kent State and JUCO with a collection of garbage in the middle. Seriously, that middle of the line sounds like quarterbacks will be running for their lives
 
True, but since the young QB has already been declared as potentially the best QB in Pitt history, he'll have no trouble eluding the rush.

I feel bad for Pickett. His offensive line is going to be garbage, his (?) best receiver has graduated with no obvious replacement, and his expectations are already way, way too high. He has walked into a minefield, and it's not his fault.
 
I agree. They have already placed his expectations way about his ceiling. As always when they overhype a player/coach, Pantherlair will be a joy to watch when the bloom comes off the Rose. He has practice videos repeatedly retweeted by Pitt fans in which he almost always throws high. What he should be practicing is “the two step drop, run for your life to get out of the pocket, and throw it out of bounds drill”
 
So your left tackle situation is a grad transfer from the MAC who didn’t make the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd all-MAC team at any point in his 4 years there.

Your right tackle situation is a 3 star, 11th ranked JUCO tackle prospect who originally went to James Madison coming out of HS.

Yeah, sounds awesome.

You have to look at the whole picture.
Pitt could easily have a dominant OL this year-

Chase Brown, Lackawanna JC (Scranton, PA)- The Virginia native is a rock solid 6'5" 310 pounds. Because of his physical maturity, and because he will be at Pitt for spring practices, he has an excellent chance of being a starter next season. He played tackle as a freshman and guard as a sophomore, and he can project at either for the Panthers. Offers included West Virginia, Virginia Tech, TCU, UCF, Tennessee, and Minnesota.

Botton line: It's imperative that he can start right away, and be as good as he can be. And he does have the goods to do that.
Jake Kradel, Butler HS (Butler, PA)- Strong local kid who at 6'4" and 280 pounds is destined for center or guard. Aggressive, strong, and great feet. Other offers included Ohio State, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Iowa, and NC State.

Bottom line: Like most offensive linemen, you may not hear from him for a few years, but once he develops, he could be a force in the interior of the line.
Stefano Millin, Kent State transfer- Started 33 games at center, right tackle, and left tackle. Has been brought in by the Panthers to start at left tackle, where he started 12 games last season. At 6'5" 305 pounds he has the right size. High quality person that wants to be a US Senator in the future.
 
You have to look at the whole picture.
Pitt could easily have a dominant OL this year-

Stefano Millin, Kent State transfer- Started 33 games at center, right tackle, and left tackle. Has been brought in by the Panthers to start at left tackle, where he started 12 games last season. At 6'5" 305 pounds he has the right size. High quality person that wants to be a US Senator in the future.

His career will start very shortly and Chase Brown can probably pound his signs into the ground for him. Pitt took Brown in hopes of landing his teammate TJ Bradley and in typical Narduzzi fashion failed. The other offers wanted Brown as depth. Only Pitt offered a starting position

Btw, teams were hot on Kradel early in the process. He went to a Rivals camp and it was eye opening and not in a good way
 
You have to look at the whole picture.
Pitt could easily have a dominant OL this year-

Chase Brown, Lackawanna JC (Scranton, PA)- The Virginia native is a rock solid 6'5" 310 pounds. Because of his physical maturity, and because he will be at Pitt for spring practices, he has an excellent chance of being a starter next season. He played tackle as a freshman and guard as a sophomore, and he can project at either for the Panthers. Offers included West Virginia, Virginia Tech, TCU, UCF, Tennessee, and Minnesota.

Botton line: It's imperative that he can start right away, and be as good as he can be. And he does have the goods to do that.
Jake Kradel, Butler HS (Butler, PA)- Strong local kid who at 6'4" and 280 pounds is destined for center or guard. Aggressive, strong, and great feet. Other offers included Ohio State, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Iowa, and NC State.

Bottom line: Like most offensive linemen, you may not hear from him for a few years, but once he develops, he could be a force in the interior of the line.
Stefano Millin, Kent State transfer- Started 33 games at center, right tackle, and left tackle. Has been brought in by the Panthers to start at left tackle, where he started 12 games last season. At 6'5" 305 pounds he has the right size. High quality person that wants to be a US Senator in the future.
Have you ever had an original thought or is it all just copy and paste?
 
I do remember that once Kradel went to that Rivals camp, that teams backed off on him quickly. He clearly won't play right away, but maybe he can eventually regain his mojo. It's funny that the Lair folks think that they beat out OSU for the kid.
 
I do remember that once Kradel went to that Rivals camp, that teams backed off on him quickly. He clearly won't play right away, but maybe he can eventually regain his mojo. It's funny that the Lair folks think that they beat out OSU for the kid.

I agree. Nothing against Kradel. I’m sure he is a decent kid

Pitt fans will never understand recruiting. They always mention getting recruits in June. They do not land many prior because Pitt is not most kids top choice. Pitt is a fall back plan. Pitt lands kids late when these kids start to see the writing on the wall. That’s why you see a kid with “big offers” down to Syracuse and Pitt”
 
His career will start very shortly and Chase Brown can probably pound his signs into the ground for him. Pitt took Brown in hopes of landing his teammate TJ Bradley and in typical Narduzzi fashion failed. The other offers wanted Brown as depth. Only Pitt offered a starting position

Btw, teams were hot on Kradel early in the process. He went to a Rivals camp and it was eye opening and not in a good way
Chase Brown is more than just depth.
The chance of immediate playing time was an influential factor in Brown’s decision to come to Pitt.

“That’s one of the main reasons why I committed here, because I saw it was a good opportunity for me to start right away,” Brown said. “Obviously, with Brian O’Neill leaving, that kind of opened the door even more. I just hope to bring some solid tackle play, because I’ll be at tackle. I know we’ve got a tough schedule, a lot of good defensive lines.”

Pierce said Pitt has the right “coaching philosophy” for Brown to succeed as a Panther.

“With his size and his presence, he has the tools to make that happen for himself to be successful at that level,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to these next two years to see how it’ll pan out.”

As one of Pitt’s five midyear enrollees of the 2018 recruiting class, Brown has already had the opportunity to explore Pitt’s campus and take advantage of Pitt’s accommodations.

“It’s been great, I love it,” Brown said. “I love the City, the facilities. Coming from [junior college], we didn’t even have a locker room. It’s been great, I love my teammates. I love the food.”
 
Chase Brown is more than just depth.
The chance of immediate playing time was an influential factor in Brown’s decision to come to Pitt.

“That’s one of the main reasons why I committed here, because I saw it was a good opportunity for me to start right away,” Brown said. “Obviously, with Brian O’Neill leaving, that kind of opened the door even more. I just hope to bring some solid tackle play, because I’ll be at tackle. I know we’ve got a tough schedule, a lot of good defensive lines.”

Pierce said Pitt has the right “coaching philosophy” for Brown to succeed as a Panther.

“With his size and his presence, he has the tools to make that happen for himself to be successful at that level,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to these next two years to see how it’ll pan out.”

As one of Pitt’s five midyear enrollees of the 2018 recruiting class, Brown has already had the opportunity to explore Pitt’s campus and take advantage of Pitt’s accommodations.

“It’s been great, I love it,” Brown said. “I love the City, the facilities. Coming from [junior college], we didn’t even have a locker room. It’s been great, I love my teammates. I love the food.”
Lackawanna doesn't have their own stadium either. Brown should feel right at home at pitt.
 
Chase Brown is more than just depth.
The chance of immediate playing time was an influential factor in Brown’s decision to come to Pitt.

“That’s one of the main reasons why I committed here, because I saw it was a good opportunity for me to start right away,” Brown said. “Obviously, with Brian O’Neill leaving, that kind of opened the door even more. I just hope to bring some solid tackle play, because I’ll be at tackle. I know we’ve got a tough schedule, a lot of good defensive lines.”

Pierce said Pitt has the right “coaching philosophy” for Brown to succeed as a Panther.

“With his size and his presence, he has the tools to make that happen for himself to be successful at that level,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to these next two years to see how it’ll pan out.”

As one of Pitt’s five midyear enrollees of the 2018 recruiting class, Brown has already had the opportunity to explore Pitt’s campus and take advantage of Pitt’s accommodations.

“It’s been great, I love it,” Brown said. “I love the City, the facilities. Coming from [junior college], we didn’t even have a locker room. It’s been great, I love my teammates. I love the food.”
Come on, be honest. Pitt got leftovers except for Zubovic. He's a good prospect. He had a commitable offer until Effner committed; the other OL slots were reserved. And...Kradel never had a commitable offer from OSU regardless of what Pitt propaganda minister/resident spin doctor Chris Peak says. Also, the 4star RB that had big "offers" from USC and others? You find it funny that this kid chose between Pitt and Syracuse? Think about it.
 
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See you in September. We'll see who is depth, and who isn't.
Chase will surprise a lot of people. He has monster strength, and will absolutely destroy defensive lines.
Also, it should be noted that Brown chose Pitt over offers from Virginia Tech, TCU, and Minnesota among others. He was not graded by the recruiting sites at the time, as rankings with junior college players always seem to take some time to get their official star ranking. I would speculate this is the equivalent of a three or borderline four-star type of player.

Brown initially started his college career at James Madison before taking the Junior College route. He is a native of Ashburn, Virginia and attended Briar Woods High School. Here is a better look at Brown as a player.

Pitt is also actively recruiting Lackawanna’s other offensive tackle, TJ Bradley. Perhaps landing Brown helps them with his recruitment. With Pitt potentially losing both tackles after this upcoming season, going the junior college route makes sense to help replenish the offensive line quickly.

As it has been noted a number of times, Pitt’s recruiting seemed to pick up in June, and that’s the case once again.
 
T J Bradley was the quality JC target not Brown. Bradley had a PSU offer but was behind a bunch of guys. Once it became apparent the remaining OL slots were reserved for Asiedu, Scruggs, and finally, Rasheed Walker, among a few others, T J committed to Maryland. Attempting to bait Bradley by offering Brown failed for Narduzzi.
 
Chase will surprise a lot of people. He has monster strength, and will absolutely destroy defensive lines.
Also, it should be noted that Brown chose Pitt over offers from Virginia Tech, TCU, and Minnesota among others. He was not graded by the recruiting sites at the time, as rankings with junior college players always seem to take some time to get their official star ranking. I would speculate this is the equivalent of a three or borderline four-star type of player.

Brown initially started his college career at James Madison before taking the Junior College route. He is a native of Ashburn, Virginia and attended Briar Woods High School. Here is a better look at Brown as a player.

Pitt is also actively recruiting Lackawanna’s other offensive tackle, TJ Bradley. Perhaps landing Brown helps them with his recruitment. With Pitt potentially losing both tackles after this upcoming season, going the junior college route makes sense to help replenish the offensive line quickly.

As it has been noted a number of times, Pitt’s recruiting seemed to pick up in June, and that’s the case once again.
Well, when you’re not recruiting anyone prior to June of course it’s going to pick up after June.
 
Pitt got Mychale Salahuddin in Feb.
Rivals calls Salahuddin the top All-Purpose back in the country. 247 Sports also names him the top prospect from Washington D.C. He is the second player in as many years to come to Pitt from Woodson, joining redshirt freshman Jaylen Twyman.

This also marks the second year in a row Pitt has landed a four-star running back on signing day, following in the footsteps of sophomore-to-be A.J. Davis. Salahuddin instantly becomes Pitt’s top recruit, and should move Pitt close to the outside of the top 30 in the team recruiting rankings.

The running back position will be one to watch for Pitt next season, as all five players look like they should be able to contribute. Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall will be seniors. Hall came on strong last season, while Ollison does have a 1,000 yard season under his belt. Davis got on the field some last year and has four-star pedigree. Also waiting in the wings, would be redshirt freshmen Todd SIbley, another four-star player.

There is talent across the board at running back, but it appears Salahuddin should be able to add a different element as he is more of a speedy back than the other four on the roster. Not sure if he will get on the field right away, but he will have a chance.
 
I now crown jerot "PittAI" - please use you new handle when posting from now on.
 
And yet, nobody really wanted him. He had to choose between Pitt and Syracuse. Even Durkin backed off on him.

Other than that, yeah, he must be a great prospect.
Incredibly, Pitt is also bringing in Shocky Jacques Louis , a Florida burner.
The Panthers beat out some notable names in the chase for Jacques-Louis. The Fort Myers, Florida, native had offers from some of the nations top football programs, including Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Central Florida.

“All of the places I went to visit, different colleges and stuff, they talked about national championships, but there was nothing different about them,” Jacques-Louis said. “Coming to Pitt, everything’s just different and diverse, and I love the people here. Everybody’s nice.”
 
Incredibly, Pitt is also bringing in Shocky Jacques Louis , a Florida burner.
The Panthers beat out some notable names in the chase for Jacques-Louis. The Fort Myers, Florida, native had offers from some of the nations top football programs, including Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Central Florida.

“All of the places I went to visit, different colleges and stuff, they talked about national championships, but there was nothing different about them,” Jacques-Louis said. “Coming to Pitt, everything’s just different and diverse, and I love the people here. Everybody’s nice.”

It appears some of the mid 3 star and 87th ranked receivers quote was lost in translation. Here is the actual quote

All of the places I went to visit would not let me commit different colleges and stuff, they talked about national championships, but there was nothing different about them except they had their own stadium, on campus facilities, fans, and won games” Jacques-Louis said. “Coming to Pitt, everything’s just different and diverse, it’s a ghetto to be honest and I fit in here
 
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That *is* incredible! Hail to Pitt! Hail to Narduzzi! Hail, in general!
Right on!
The receivers are going to be awesome, including a Dez Bryant clone -
The Pitt football program received great news in the beginning of the weekend when it received a verbal commitment from Phenix City (AL) Glenwood wide receiver Cameron O’Neil (6-foot-3 inches, 190 pounds). He chose Pitt over a number of scholarship offers including Wisconsin, Virginia, Illinois, Memphis and Troy. O’Neil was the 12th player to join the Panthers class of 2018. To gain better perspective on Pitt’s newest wide receiver, Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Glenwood High School head football coach Jason Gibson.

“Cameron was a transfer last year. I’m an arena football coach, that’s what I do. So I’m an arena coach (head coach and director of football operations) with the Columbus Lions. (Glenwood) is my second job, “said Gibson. “So when I transferred here to take the job, everybody knew I threw the ball. About two days in practice, this big six foot three kid walks in, that had been transferred in. I’ve never seen him before and he said he played receiver. I said ‘I’ll find out if you play receiver in about four catches’. We sat down to play catch and he swallows the football up. He simply attacks the ball. You can tell, some people struggle catching the ball and some people don’t. He just attacks the football and takes it, you know? It reminds me of kind of a Dez Bryant, kind of a Keyshawn Johnson the way he just takes the ball away. And his ability to adjust his body is amazing.”
 
When you land the 176th and 88th receivers in the nation, you are doing work on the recruiting trail
 
Right on!
The receivers are going to be awesome, including a Dez Bryant clone -

Does our new friend Jerot realize PSU will redshirt multiple receivers much better than anybody Pitt puts on the field this coming season?
 
Is there something wrong with you? You write like the recruiting class for 2018 is not yet over and 2018 recruiting is still occurring. It's over you dork.
 
Pretty amazing how those guys get locked in on numbers. They really have nothing to feel good about, so they have to chant "42-39" or "13-9" whenever they masturbate in order to get themselves off.

And yeah, that 13-9 is still a really big deal to them. Just like they get erect when they think they cost us a playoff spot, they also get erect when they think about having wrecked WVU's season. All they have to feel good about is wrecking other teams' seasons, because all of their seasons are pretty much wrecked before they even start.

Granted, when they get erect, it's barely noticeable.
Pitt has recruited probably the quickest sack machine in the entire country, who is projected to start as a true freshman.
Habakkuk Baldonado, 18, lived in Italy for the first 17 years of his life before matriculating to Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International to play football.It was a season Clearwater Academy coach Jesse Chinchnar won't soon forget. Baldonado, 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, recorded 30 1/2 sacks in 13 games.

"He was a sack machine," said Chinchar, who added that Baldonado had six in one game. "He got off the ball like nobody's business."

"Rushing the passer. That's my favorite thing," said Baldonado, who goes by the first name of Haba.

He is Clearwater Academy's first Division 1 recruit in only its second season of 11-man football. Before that, the school played the eight-man version.

Chinchar said there's more to Baldonado than his size, strength and quickness.

"He has an infectious passion for the game," Chinchar said. "Even though he was only here one year, he became a leader on the team."

Baldonado said living in the U.S. was "a totally new experience, like another world."

He said chose Pitt for the normal things -- academics and football -- but he also developed a good relationship with Narduzzi and assistants Rob Harley and Charlie Partridge. He chose Pitt over offers from Central Florida and Michigan State.

Asked about his hopes to play as a freshman, Baldonado said, "Every school will tell you the same thing: I have to deserve it. They are not scared about playing freshmen, but it's hard to play as a true freshman."
 
Pitt has recruited probably the quickest sack machine in the entire country, who is projected to start as a true freshman.
Habakkuk Baldonado, 18, lived in Italy for the first 17 years of his life before matriculating to Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International to play football.It was a season Clearwater Academy coach Jesse Chinchnar won't soon forget. Baldonado, 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, recorded 30 1/2 sacks in 13 games.

"He was a sack machine," said Chinchar, who added that Baldonado had six in one game. "He got off the ball like nobody's business."

"Rushing the passer. That's my favorite thing," said Baldonado, who goes by the first name of Haba.

He is Clearwater Academy's first Division 1 recruit in only its second season of 11-man football. Before that, the school played the eight-man version.

Chinchar said there's more to Baldonado than his size, strength and quickness.

"He has an infectious passion for the game," Chinchar said. "Even though he was only here one year, he became a leader on the team."

Baldonado said living in the U.S. was "a totally new experience, like another world."

He said chose Pitt for the normal things -- academics and football -- but he also developed a good relationship with Narduzzi and assistants Rob Harley and Charlie Partridge. He chose Pitt over offers from Central Florida and Michigan State.

Asked about his hopes to play as a freshman, Baldonado said, "Every school will tell you the same thing: I have to deserve it. They are not scared about playing freshmen, but it's hard to play as a true freshman."

And by “sack machine”, he means he will be washing everyone’s balls for 3 years while he decides whether to transfer to Clarion or Bethune Cookman
 
Kaymar Mimes is another DE who will probably start as a true freshman for the Panthers.
He’s capable of playing tight end as well but he prefers defense. He has received scholarship offers from Pitt, Rutgers, Wake Forest, Connecticut, Temple and Old Dominion. Boston College recently reached out as well.

“Pitt is recruiting me as a defensive end. They have talked about me maybe playing a little tight end and I don’t mind that at all,” he said. “I like tight end, but I like hitting the quarterback more.”

“I know Pitt is a prestigious football program and they’re a very good academic school. I’m very interested in seeing what it’s like is there.”

Kaymar was asked about his strengths as a defensive end and he stated, “I think I fire off the ball pretty well, fire it far and fire it low. Before I was really weak in hand movement and hand fighting off the line. I think that I definitely, over the summer and over the season, improved a lot. That’s one of my strengths now.”

“I’m a strong pass rusher. It’s something I have worked hard on. I’ve been doing a whole bunch of building upon myself during the summer and during the season and I think it’s really paid off. So, definitely pass rushing, firing off the ball strong, and just toughness. I’m feeling pretty tough.”

Mimes finished the season with 87 tackles, including seven tackles for a loss and 20 sacks, plus four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Long Branch High School is coming off a very successful football season after winning its first NJSIAA Central Group IV championship since 1999.
 
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