Devonshire’s choice to be key for Pitt
When Pitt signed 18 new football recruits in December, coach Pat Narduzzi indicated his program likely would bring in “a few more” in February to round out the 2019 class.
From all indications, not much has changed for the Panthers since then, as Narduzzi and his staff have two commitments to make official and a couple other possibilities for the nominal national signing day. Here’s what to expect Wednesday, which is what now amounts to the watered-down end of college football recruiting for this offseason, thanks to the NCAA’s new early signing period:
• Who’s definitely signing SirVocea Dennis and Nolan Ulizio. Dennis is the under-the-radar two-star linebacker recruit who
committed over the weekend while on a visit to campus. Landing Dennis wasn’t a splashy move, but this class had lost a linebacker just before the early signing period when Khadry Jackson de-committed and flipped to North Carolina. Dennis could be one of those classic late-bloomers who outperform their star rankings, but we’ll see what Narduzzi has to say about him Wednesday once he sends in his letter of intent.
As for Ulizio, who’s to say what expectations should be placed on him? It will be interesting to hear just how much stock Narduzzi puts into the graduate-transfer offensive lineman from Michigan, who was a starting right tackle in the Big Ten Conference before losing that role midway through the 2017 season and being used only as a backup at left guard and left tackle last year. But then again, he has the requisite size at 6-feet-5, 305 pounds, has been at the power-five level for four years, and sometimes a change of scenery can do a player well. Two weeks ago, Narduzzi said he was “trying to find the next guy to line up at left tackle,” and two days later, Ulizio committed. The Panthers lose three starting offensive linemen, none more significant than left tackle Stefano Millin, who was a graduate transfer from Kent State. • Who’s on the table The biggest story of the day for Pitt is undoubtedly four-star Aliquippa defensive back M.J. Devonshire, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette co-Player of the Year and a target for Narduzzi since the summer. Pitt actually offered Devonshire in May, long after the likes of Ohio State and West Virginia, who also are among his finalists. Kentucky has entered his recruitment as of last month, but the Panthers might still be in good shape. Devonshire’s teammate, Will Gipson, signed with Pitt in December, and the Quips often deliver when it comes to elite prospects picking the Panthers. Devonshire, who originally expected to choose a school before his senior season, is set to announce his final decision at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
About five hours after Devonshire’s ceremony, three-star New Jersey prospect Brian Ugwu will have his own. According to Ugwu, who’s projected as a running back or linebacker, Pitt is among his finalists, but he’s thought to be choosing between Rutgers and Temple. • Who’s not signing You might remember that Brandon Mack and Nick Malone were the two verbal pledges who didn’t sign with Pitt in December. Mack, a three-star defensive end from Alabama, officially backed out of his Pitt commitment the next day and will sign with Mississippi now.
Malone, a three-star offensive lineman from West Virginia, didn’t make it official in December per Pitt’s decision, and now he’s no longer committed to the Panthers. “Obviously, sometimes there’s guys that we can’t take where you have to say, ‘Sorry, we filled up,’ which, we know that happens at positions,” Narduzzi said in December.
Pitt found itself in the top five last week for three-star Chicago wide receiver Alante Brown, but he’s now down to Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Iowa State and Texas Tech, according to 247Sports.com.