Pitt builds pipeline to Hampton Roads
Former Salem, Landstown coach Beatty helps Panthers land 4 of the top 10 players from region
NORFOLK — There was a time when Virginia Tech used to dominate the recruiting scene in Hampton Roads.
But those times are long gone as every other Power Five conference school has invaded the area, plucking up talent.
This year, the dominant school is Pittsburgh, thanks largely to Panthers assistant coach Chris Beatty. The former head coach at Salem and Landstown high schools landed three of the top five players from the Class of 2021 in Hampton Roads and four of the top 10.
The Panthers got Ocean Lakes defensive end Naquan Brown, who was rated No. 2 in the Class of 2021 in Hampton Roads. He originally committed to LSU on July 1, but decommitted earlier this month and signed with Pitt on Wednesday.
The Panthers also got Lake Taylor running back Malik Newton, who was No. 4 in Hampton Roads, Booker T. Washington running back Rodney Hammond, who was No. 5, and Ocean Lakes wide receiver Myles Alston, who was No. 9.
“It’s a big deal, obviously, when you’re trying to lay a pipeline foundation of getting guys up here,” Beatty said. “Hopefully, they’ll have some success.”
He added that having guys like Patrick Jones II of Grassfield High in Chesapeake and Chase Pine of Lafayette also helps in recruiting.
“Pat Jones having such a big year, those kinds of things set that up,” he said. “Hopefully, these guys can
build on that.”
Hammond said he’s looking forward to playing with Brown, Newton and Alston as they represent Hampton Roads.
“We’re going to college together and make it to the league together,” said Hammond, who plans on staying and playing high school football this season. “It’s good and I’m blessed … I’m not going to let (Beatty) down. When I get there, I’m going to ball out, just like I did in high school.”
Newton, however, is leaving next month. He said playing with
guys who are from the 757 area is added motivation to play well.
“It’s a blessing. We all know each other. We all played against each other,” said Newton, a two-time Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Football Player of the Year, sharing the 2019 honor with Maury’s KeAndre Lambert. “After everybody found out that Naquan was coming, we were like, ‘let’s get ready to do this.’ We got to go to Pittsburgh and show them what we do in the 757.”
He also credited Beatty with getting players to think about Pittsburgh.
“Coach Beatty, that’s the blessing of Pittsburgh,” he said. “He’s from here, so he knew what to do to get us up there.”
Beatty said getting prominent
players from Hampton Roads is important as the Panthers compete with the top programs in the ACC.
“Those guys have a chance to be really good players,” he said. “A lot of people wanted them. ... There’s some great football down there, and to get some of the better players from down there, you know you got a chance to be pretty good.”
Elsewhere, Green Run defensive end George Wilson signed with Florida State. He had originally committed to South Carolina in July.
The Top 10
Here’s a look where Hampton Roads’ top 10 high school football recruits in the Class of 2021 signed:
1. Tony Grimes, CB, Princess Anne – Reclassified and left for North Carolina early and saw playing time as a true freshman.
2. Naquan Brown, DE, Ocean Lakes – Pittsburgh 3. George Wilson, DE, Green Run – Florida State 4. Malik Newton, RB, Lake Taylor – Pittsburgh 5. Rodney Hammond, RB, Booker T. Washington – Pittsburgh
6. Michael Green, LB/WR, Lafayette – Virginia 7. Zemarion Harrell, LB, Salem – Coastal Carolina 8. Maurice Freeman, S, Oscar Smith – Indiana 9. Myles Alston, WR, Ocean Lakes – Pittsburgh
10. Nate Evans, CB, Cox – N.C. State
Others included: 11. Trevion Stevenson, Phoebus, (North Carolina), 12. James Smith, Princess Anne (Louisiana-Monroe), 13. Nathan Boerboom, Great Bridge (Central Florida), 14. Isi Etute, Cox (Virginia Tech), 15. Isaiah Henderson, Salem (Air Force), 17. Marquise Brunson, Princess Anne (Liberty), 18. Caymen Mills, Green Run (Louisiana-Monroe), 19. Breyden Byrd, Woodside (Navy), 22. Stephon Dubose, Indian River (Old Dominion), 26. Messiah Russell, Warwick (James Madison), 34. Shawn Fahey, Ocean Lakes (Norfolk State), 36. David Roulley, Ocean Lakes (William & Mary), 48. Denzel Lowry, Landstown (Old Dominion).