in Pitt Football 1,794 Words

Early Signees

Per the Pitt SID

Myles Alston, WR, 6-1, 185, Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes

Highly recruited Virginia receiver prospect who had nearly 20 offers…team did not have a season this fall due to COVID-19…as a junior, had 17 receptions for 212 yards (12.5 avg.) and a touchdown and also had an interception return for a TD…The Virginian-Pilot Hampton Roads Top 50 (No. 9)…rated one of Virginia’s top 25 overall prospects by Rivals (No. 19), ESPN (No. 23) and 247Sports (No. 25)…played under Coach Joe Jones.

Trey Andersen, OL, 6-6, 255, Eagle Mountain, Utah/Lehi

Originally a class of 2019 recruit who spent most of the past two years on a mission trip…as a senior tight end at Lehi, averaged 17.4 yards per reception, totaling 28 catches for 487 yards and two touchdowns…was rated Utah’s No. 16 overall prospect by 247Sports and No. 22 by ESPN…was also a two-time Utah state champion in the shot put…played under Coach Ed Larson.

Khalil Anderson, DB, 5-11, 170, Atlanta, Ga./Riverwood

Rated one of the country’s top 25 cornerback prospects by 247Sports…intercepted eight passes over his final two seasons…as a senior, scored five touchdowns on returns (three punts, one kickoff and one interception)…led Riverwood with nearly 700 all-purpose yards…Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) All-Class AAAAA North (first team)…rated the No. 24 overall prospect in Georgia…selected to play in the Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game…played under Coach Robert Edwards.

Gavin Bartholomew, TE, 6-4, 255, Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Blue Mountain

Played a variety of roles for Blue Mountain, including tight end, defensive end, punter and, as a senior, quarterback…was team’s leading receiver as a junior, compiling 27 receptions for 527 yards and five touchdowns…his senior year, was team’s starting quarterback for its final five games, completing 36-of-66 passes for 521 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 145 yards and three TDs…averaged 21.8 yards per catch as a senior with six catches for 131 yards and two scores…on defense had a 35-yard interception return for a TD…rated Pennsylvania’s No. 36 overall prospect by ESPN…played under Coach Cory Mabry.

Noah Biglow, DB, 5-11, 170, Wesley Chapel, Fla./Armwood

Standout cornerback for Florida power Armwood whose senior year was limited due to injury…as a junior in 2019, was named to the Tampa Bay Times All-Tampa Bay Team…helped team to a 12-2 record and the semifinals of the 2019 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 7A playoffs…had six interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), eight pass breakups and two fumble recoveries that year…played under Coach Evan Davis.

Jaden Bradley, WR, 6-3, 190, Baltimore, Md./DeMatha Catholic

Rangy and athletic wide receiver prospect who drew multiple Power 5 offers despite being new to the position…a former quarterback at traditional power DeMatha Catholic who made an impressive switch to wideout his junior year…team did not have a 2020 season due to COVID-19…ranked the No. 21 overall prospect in Maryland by Rivals…played under Coach Bill McGregor.

Naquan Brown, DL, 6-3, 205, Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes

Highly recruited prospect who was named to the Rivals 250 (No. 185) and ESPN 300 (No. 192)…collected 26 sacks over his junior and sophomore years…team did not have a 2020 season due to COVID-19…rated Virginia’s No. 4 overall prospect by ESPN, No. 5 by Rivals and No. 12 by 247Sports…The Virginian-Pilot Hampton Roads Top 50 (No. 2)…rated by Rivals as the nation’s No. 13 outside linebacker…played under Coach Joe Jones.

Tamarion Crumpley, DB, 6-1, 185, Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods

One of Ohio’s top cornerback prospects…Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) Division II All-State (second team)…All-Southwest Ohio District (first team)…All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference (first team)…led Winton Woods to a 9-1 record and the Ohio Division II playoffs…rated Ohio’s No. 31 overall prospect by 247Sports, No. 35 by Rivals and No. 46 by ESPN…played under Coach Andre Parker.

Elliot Donald, DL, 6-2, 255, Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic

Nationally regarded defensive lineman who was named to the Rivals 100 (No. 93) and the ESPN 300 (No. 81)…as a junior, compiled 55 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and two forced fumbles in leading Central Catholic to the WPIAL Class 6A championship and the PIAA title game…Pennsylvania Football Writers All-Class 6A Team…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22”…Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25”…did not play as a senior due to COVID-19 concerns…rated the nation’s No. 8 defensive tackle by Rivals and No. 17 by 247Sports…rated the nation’s No. 9 defensive end by ESPN…rated Pennsylvania’s No. 5 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 6 by ESPN and No. 11 by 247Sports…played under Coach Terry Totten.

Terrence Enos, OL, 6-4, 320, Redford, Mich./Cass Technical

One of Michigan’s top offensive line prospects…Detroit News 2021 Class Top 50 Players (No. 13)…Detroit Public School League (PSL) All-City…PSL All-Division 1-2 Team…rated one of Michigan’s top 20 overall prospects by Rivals (No. 17) and ESPN (No. 20)…played under Coach Thomas Wilcher.

Dorien Ford, DL, 6-4, 285, Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin

A four-year starter at Baldwin who evolved from a freshman fullback into an exceptional two-way lineman and nationally regarded prospect…Pennsylvania Football Writers All-Class 6A Team…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22”…Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25”…rated one of Pennsylvania’s top 20 prospects by ESPN (No. 11), Rivals (No. 12) and 247Sports (No. 19)…rated the nation’s No. 26 defensive tackle prospect by Rivals, No. 29 by 247Sports and No. 35 by ESPN…played under Coach Tim Sweeney.

Kyle Fugedi, OL, 6-6, 270, Livonia, Mich./Franklin

Three-year offensive line starter who helped Franklin compile 6,811 rushing yards over the 2018-20 seasons…Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) first team Division 2 All-Region…first team All-Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA)…Detroit News and Detroit Free Press All-Metro West…rated Michigan’s No. 16 overall prospect by 247Sports and No. 30 by Rivals…played under Coach Chris Kelbert.

Stephon Hall, DB, 6-1, 170, Monaca, Pa./Central Valley

Diverse talent for Central Valley who was impactful as a defensive back, running back, receiver and returner…compiled 64 tackles, 14 pass breakups and a forced fumble on defense…scored 13 touchdowns (11 rushing and two on kickoff returns)…averaged nearly 50 yards on five kickoff returns (five for 247) and 35.3 on punt returns (three for 106)…Class 3A Northwestern Six Defensive Player of the Year…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22”…led team to consecutive WPIAL Class 3A championships as a junior and senior…was injured in the 2020 WPIAL title game and missed the final two contests, including Central Valley’s PIAA championship win over Wyomissing…rated Pennsylvania’s No. 16 overall prospect by 247Sports and No. 25 by Rivals…played under Coach Mark Lyons.

Rodney Hammond, RB, 5-9, 175, Virginia Beach, Va./Booker T. Washington

Rated one of the nation’s top 20 running back prospects by ESPN…team did not have a 2020 season due to COVID-19…as a junior, rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns, while intercepting six passes as a defensive back…two-time All-Tidewater…The Virginian-Pilot Hampton Roads Top 50 (No. 5)…rated one of Virginia’s top 20 overall prospects by ESPN (No. 9), Rivals (No. 14) and 247Sports (No. 19)…played under Coach William Robertson.

Nahki Johnson, DL, 6-2, 215, Pittsburgh, Pa./West Mifflin

Earned national accolades as a defensive end prospect…named to the Rivals 250 (No. 169) and Top247 (No. 199)…rated the nation’s No. 7 weakside defensive end prospect by Rivals and No. 13 by 247Sports…senior year was hindered due to injury…as a junior, compiled eight sacks and four forced fumbles and was named the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year…Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25”…rated Pennsylvania’s No. 7 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 8 by 247Sports and No. 17 by ESPN…played under Coach Rod Steele.

Preston Lavant, LB, 6-2, 200, Cordele, Ga./Crisp County

Has amassed more than 250 career tackles as a three-year starter for Crisp County…first team All-Region 1-AAA…has posted 69 stops, six TFLs, an interception and blocked punt as a senior in helping his team recently advance to the Georgia Class 3A semifinals…as a junior, compiled nearly 120 tackles as Crisp County earned a berth in the Class 3A state final for the first time in history…Top 100 overall prospect in Georgia according to Rivals…played under Coach Brad Harber.

Javon McIntyre, DB, 6-0, 190, Bear, Del./Imhotep Charter (Pa.)

One of Pennsylvania’s top safety prospects…team did not have a 2020 season due to COVID-19…his junior year, compiled 53 tackles and a fumble return touchdown…was named All-Philadelphia Public League…helped team to an 8-5 record, the Philadelphia Class 4A City Championship and a berth in the PIAA playoffs…rated the state’s No. 14 overall prospect by ESPN, No. 18 by 247Sports and No. 22 by Rivals…played under Coach Devon Johnson.

Malik Newton, RB, 5-11, 225, Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor

Prolific rusher who compiled 4,053 yards over his initial three varsity seasons…team did not have a 2020 season due to COVID-19…as a junior, rushed for 2,060 yards and scored 32 touchdowns in leading team to a 14-2 record and the Virginia Class 4A championship…also had 57 tackles and six interceptions as a linebacker…Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year…two-time recipient of the Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Football Player of the Year honor…rated the nation’s No. 19 running back by Rivals…rated Virginia’s No. 9 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 19 by ESPN and No. 29 by 247Sports…The Virginian-Pilot Hampton Roads Top 50 (No. 4)…played under Coach Hank Sawyer.

Terrence Rankl, OL, 6-4, 275, Massillon, Ohio/Massillon Washington

Decorated lineman for traditional Ohio power Massillon Washington…Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) Division II All-State (first team)…Northeast Inland All-District (first team)…as a senior, paved the way for an offense that produced 327.1 yards per contest, including 185.1 on the ground…helped the Tigers to three consecutive Ohio Division II state championship games and a combined 38-4 mark (.905)…rated one of the nation’s top 50 offensive tackles by Rivals…rated Ohio’s No. 21 overall prospect by Rivals and No. 22 by ESPN…played under Coach Nate Moore.

Jake Renda, TE, 6-4, 225, Princeton, N.J./IMG Academy (Fla.)

New Jersey native who transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for his senior year…was a tight end at IMG Academy after previously playing quarterback his initial three high school seasons…a freshman varsity starter at Princeton High School before going on to play QB and defensive end at Notre Dame High as a sophomore and junior…rated the nation’s No. 27 tight end prospect by ESPN…played under IMG head coach Bobby Acosta.

Nate Yarnell, QB, 6-6, 190, Austin, Texas/Lake Travis

Rated one of the country’s top 25 pro-style quarterback prospects by 247Sports…was sidelined as a senior due to injury…his junior season, posted a 6-0 record as Lake Travis’ starter, coming on in relief for a key stretch when senior starter Hudson Card (a 2020 Texas Longhorns signee) was out due to injury…in those starting assignments, averaged 208 yards passing and threw 11 TDs while completing 67% of his attempts…on the year, Yarnell completed 68% of his passes for 1,501 yards and 17 touchdowns…played under Coach Hank Carter.

50 thoughts on “Early Signees”

        1. 2.95 average stars last I checked. Only 30 percent rated 5.7 and above. Don’t facts matter anymore? Guess not.

          Shall I post the link to the mathematical calculation for average yet again?

          Tex – you’d think I was a Nitter or troll for giving y’all such a hard time.

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          1. You’re probably including Anderson who is not rated yet?

            Of course, you have an agenda so I doubt it matters.

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            1. Yes. So let’s all just do the same for All ACC schools. It washes out in the end. I’m sure other coastals have their share of no stars that drag down their ratings. Even with a 3 star rating for this Mormon, it’s no better than the worst Wanny class. Within a non significant difference…0.10. I know math people. Don’t mess.

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      3. This is only the second full class he’s averaged less than three stars. Every other year it’s been over three. But let’s be honest, you will clap when narduzzi is fired or moves on.

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        1. Damn right I will and dance naked in the streets with a bottle of Texas bourbon in my hand.

          I don’t hide my agenda. That would make me a coward.

          Liked by 1 person

            1. Thanks. And I appreciate you calling me out. I’m like that Tom Petty song. We’re all family here. That’s why I’m so bummed it was a Covid year and I wasn’t able to tailgate. Saw some great guys at the Domer though. I know who u r. We all bleed blue and gold.

              Liked by 1 person

        2. Again, he didn’t average less than 3 stars, every single player was either 3, except for 4 four-stars. Even Tex begrudgingly admitted he was wrong (but was quite Tex-manly enough to say he was wrong). It’s above a 3 and Narduzzi’s best class. I’m more concerned with need, frankly. And this is the first time we’ve had a respectable offensive line class to work with, though I’m bummed we lost Honorable, I would’ve loved to add him too, and I couldn’t care less whether he was 3 or 4 stars.

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  3. Congrats to the coaching staff on bringing in a nice looking class. I’m sure the staff spent many, many hours developing relationships with these players.

    —Saw a brief clip somewhere of Malik Newton doing a lift. He certainly did not look like a high school kid. More like a thirty-year old.

    —Nice to bring in a 6-3 wide receiver.

    —Tight-Ends! What the heck…

    —Sounds like Yarnell hasn’t played much in HS. I’m guessing that means we won’t be hearing about him again for a couple years. Much to learn… Hopefully he has some mobility.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  4. and the rich get richer (as usual) … in addition to signing a 5 star OL from FL, they signed twin OLs out of Texas … one a 5-star and the other a 4-star

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  6. Tex – As they say there are Liars, Damn Liars, and Statistics. Your calculations are off base unless you ignore the no-star recruit who is obviously an aberration, and should not be included in your calculations. For God sake he was rated 16-22 best recruit out of Utah his senior year, how can you honestly treat that as a 0*?

    if you only count those who have signed, ignoring verbals at this point (since who knows what happens to them ultimately) and remove the no-star (as anyone who is trying to be fair would do) the average is 5.615.

    I’m with you that you’d wish this was closer to 5.7 than 5.6, but ultimately that is as good as Pitt is likely to get given it’s current limitations, and BTW indicates significant progress. I am particularly pleased to see Pitt get some 4*s from PA, so much for “owning Pennsylvania” per Frankenstein!!!

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    1. Oh-oh, Taxing. You used the word “limitations”. You will be told that Pitt has no limitations. Or that Pitt has the same limitations as other schools doing eminently better. Ignore the half empty stadium. Ignore the pitiful contribution level. Because those cannot be blamed on Coach Narduzzi or Heather. They are on us, the fans. We need to step up or shut up.

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      1. No is fans don’t need to step up. You need to step down. That is why you and I are on different playing fields. You support this and you enable this. I’m no enabler.

        For 40 years, fans and stupid boosters have thought that things will get better. That’s why I say you need to burn the place down. Oh my, such harsh language. So many deaths. Those that think like me, know what I mean.

        And you do it with a seed.

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    2. The goal is 40 percent 5.7 and above. We lag behind Nc, Miami, tech and Ginny. The real tech will soon fix their woes unlike Pitt. We are middle of the road in the Coastal with a mediocre coach. That’s a recipe for disaster. But don’t believe me, look at the results. 9-9 in ACC play over past two years. 1-13 against ranked teams. I’m no liar. Those are facts. Or do facts no longer matter?

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  7. according to Rivals, Penn St signed one player in the PA Top 12 …. No. 10. Pitt got #5, #7 and #12

    of the 7 Eastern PA recruits in Top 12, PSU got 1. Pitt got 3 of the 5 WPa recruits; Davis (Gateway) signed with LSU, and McMillon (Peters) verbaled to FL but has yet to sign

    Davis was a bitter pill for PSU as PSU Asst HC is a former Gateway HC, and Davis had visited Happy Valley at least 10 times going back to 2017

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    1. I’m glad the Nitters suck

      If a Nitter fell down, I’d stomp their throat. Figuratively that is…maybe.
      I take immense joy in penny states failures

      The school that covered up child rape Pedo state.

      Pitt did do well in wpa this year. I’m not that crass to not acknowledge. .

      I’m alum. UPitt and I probably dated the same girl back in the 90’s.

      🤠

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  8. Noticed Pitt made nice inroads in the Tidewater area, which is a rich vein of talent. Nice to see we snuck those kids past Virginia Tech and UVa. Who is recruiting that area? Wonder if it’s their magic or the Tomlin halo effect as Tomlin is notorious for drafting/signing players from his old stomping grounds. Also pleased to see we got a top Georgia recruit from Ga Tech’s backyard and a promising TE recruit. Not a program-changing class but you can win with players like these if the other elements of good coaching are in place.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. on the sad side ….. PA has 1 5-star, and 10 4-stars (up from 1 and 2 from last year)

    Florida has 5 5-stars and 53 4-stars

    Georgia has 4 5-stars and 23 4-stars

    No Carolina has 16 4-stars

    Virginia had only 1 5-star and 7 4-stars this year. Maybe had to do with the fact that there was no FB played there and maybe even no summer camps

    But this is the primary ACC footprint

    PS – Pitt got the top-rated 3 star in PA (Dorien Ford) and in VA (Malik Newton)

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  10. The reality keeps escaping the doubters. For Pitt to have a good recruiting class they have to be successful in Georgia, Virginia, and Florida. Why . . . . . . . because the talent in WPa and Pa in general is bad and getting worse.

    Those are facts, or do facts no longer matter?

    Georgia and Virginia are newly established territories for Pitt and thankfully, Nardummy and his recruiters have done their best to open it up to Pitt.

    Don’t get me wrong, if WMG isn’t gone before next year begins, I’ll be marching to Tex’s beat.

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  11. On a somber note, I regret to inform that Louis Riddick is getting major attention for NFL GM jobs and is interviewing for the Lions on Friday. Tex better gather his booster funds in a hurry if he wants to bring Riddick back to Oakland.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. This looks like a pretty strong class, but as always time will tell.

    Look at the number of guys heading to the NFL this year, compared to when they signed.

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  16. First ACC Basketball game at 6pm….vs Miami. Was reading the Thugicanes are only going to have 6 scholarship players available, due to injuries (non-covid).

    Hopefully Capel presses the entire game.

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  17. I thought Pitt class rank was top 25. ACCN just showed a slide with top 10 ACC class rankings. Went to #28 ranking and Pitt wasn’t on it. Whatsup with that?

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  18. Tex, you can’t use a zero star to lower a class ranking, or can you? It’s just the current facts. He is a zero star right now. If it changes, the average changes.

    I guess under this new math, maybe you can discard a 60 yard run that skews the yards per carry.

    Who knew that feelings were part of the “new math”.

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      1. Wow. Tex. Sorry to hear, although come to think about it I’m probably ………….Ah, forget about it.

        Everything is bigger in Texas,
        AFH

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