Pitt lands Aliquippa receiver

Pitt football will wrap up another recruiting class with a WPIAL player. A standout from a Panthers pipeline made sure of that.

Will Gipson, a 6-foot-3, 190pound senior receiver from Aliquippa High School, committed to the Panthers Thursday on Twitter. Gipson, a three-star prospect, de-committed from Ball State after interest from power conferences increased. Rutgers extended him a scholarship in October; Pitt followed this week. Miami (Ohio) and Toledo also offered.

Gipson said West Virginia and Michigan State were also involved with him.

Gipson and the Quips won the Class 3A WPIAL title Nov. 17. He has 53 receptions for 1,494 yards and 21 total touchdowns entering the state semifinal Saturday against Sharon.

East Carolina

ECU fired coach Scottie Montgomery Thursday with the team assured of its third consecutive losing season. The Pirates end the season Saturday at N.C. State. Defensive coordinator David Blackwell will be the interim coach. Montgomery was 9-26 with a 4-20 record in three years of AAC play.

Vanderbilt

Tight end Turner Cockrell died Thursday of cancer at 21. He was diagnosed with melanoma in November; doctors found in July that the cancer had spread. The team wore stickers with Cockrell’s No. 82 this year.