As it stands, Pitt signed its highest-rated class in Pat Narduzzi’s tenure on Wednesday, securing the signatures of 21 prospects on early signing day. And nearly half of them will be on campus next month.
Narduzzi acknowledged that nine of the 21 signees will enroll early, the most ever in his time at Pitt.
Typically, players who enroll in January, experience winter workouts and compete in spring camp have a better chance of playing in their inaugural season than those who enter the fray in August training camp. Let’s take a look at the nine enrollees and what roles they could play in 2021.
(All ratings are based on Rivals, unless otherwise noted.)
Nahki Johnson, defensive end, West Mifflin High School, Pittsburgh
Rating: Four stars
Notable offers: LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Virginia Tech
Role in 2021: If there was ever a year for a true freshman defensive end to break into Pitt’s rotation, it’s 2021. Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver are off to the NFL, leaving Deslin Alexandre and John Morgan as their likely replacements, with Habakkuk Baldonado providing competition. Behind them, there’s Westinghouse freshman Dayon Hayes. No one else is really established.
What Pitt’s saying: “Nahki Johnson is an explosive, athletic, edge rushing-type guy that we like to put pressure on the quarterback. It starts with a guy like him. ... Nahki was the first one to commit to us, so he became special right away. And I think he led the charge in this entire class. So I thank him for that.” — Narduzzi
Nate Yarnell, quarterback, Lake Travis High School, Austin, Texas
Rating: Three stars
Notable offers: Utah, Houston, Tulsa, Nevada
Role in 2021: Yarnell probably didn’t expect Kenny Pickett to return in 2021. Either way, he was likely going to wait his turn. Joey Yellen and Davis Beville will sit ahead of Yarnell, assuming one of them doesn’t transfer. Veteran reserve Nick Patti is still around, too. Even though he probably won’t play in 2021, being around for spring ball and learning the offense should help Yarnell in the years to come.
What Pitt’s saying: “Tommy Mangino is the quarterbacks coach over there (at Lake Travis). Obviously, his dad is (Mark) ‘The Big’ Mangino, the old Kansas coach who coached with my dad at Youngstown State. So we had a really good in with Tommy, who was his quarterback coach and just absolutely loves him there.” — Narduzzi
Myles Alston, wide receiver, Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, Va.
Rating: Three stars
Notable offers: Ole Miss, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech
Role in 2021: Jordan Addison led and Jaylon Barden contributed to Pitt’s passing attack this season, so it’s not unprecedented for a true freshman to make an impact. But Alston will face stiff competition for reps. Taysir Mack, Shocky Jacques-Louis, Jared Wayne and Tre Tipton are coming back — and with the Pickett news, slot receiver DJ Turner might, too, after declaring for the draft. If all seven are back, it’s tough to see where Alston fits in next year.
What Pitt’s saying: “He’s got a little bit of Tre Tipton in him. ... His length is something that’s important. It gives you the chance to separate. He’s more of a glider than a flat-out burner. But he does a nice job of transitioning in and out of his routes. Hopefully, he can be a healthy Tre Tipton, as opposed to some of the injuries that Tre’s had to endure.” — Pitt wide receivers coach Chris Beatty
Malik Newton, running back, Lake Taylor High School, Norfolk, Va.
Rating: Three stars
Notable offers: Clemson, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech
Role in 2021: Vincent Davis finished on a high with 247 yards at Georgia Tech, but Newton brings a different style of running to the Panthers. At 6-foot, 225 pounds, he’s a talented bruiser who Dabo Swinney wanted. The running back room is crowded with veterans (Vincent Davis, A.J. Davis, Todd Sibley) and youngsters (Israel Abanikanda, Daniel Carter). But it’s hard to dismiss Newton, given his pedigree.
What Pitt’s saying: “I don’t think our defense in the spring is going to enjoy trying to tackle this guy. ... He’s going to be more in the mode of a Darrin Hall, Qadree Ollison, James Conner, Le’Veon Bell that I was used to up north. ... He’s a bigger back and there’s not many of them out there.” — Narduzzi
Jake Renda, tight end, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.
Rating: Three stars
Notable offers: Boston College, Michigan State, N.C. State, Old Dominion
Role in 2021: The running game struggled in part because of the tight end position. Daniel Moraga and Kyi Wright were thrust into larger roles after Lucas Krull went down with a knee injury, and neither popped as blockers or threats in the play-action passing game. Krull will be back, so that’s his job as long as he’s healthy. But the spot as his backup should be considered wide open.
What Pitt’s saying: “He’s from Princeton, New Jersey, but ended up being at IMG down in Florida, and he’s just a super, super kid. He’s got a ton of football reps, was a former quarterback for three years in high school, went to IMG. He’s got a ton of Pittsburgh roots in his family, so his family is excited to be here.” — Narduzzi
Gavin Bartholomew, tight end, Blue Mountain High School, Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
Rating: Three stars
Notable offers: Army, Albany, Bowling Green, Buffalo
Role in 2021: Same deal as Renda. Both will benefit from enrolling early, whether they nab a role in 2021 or not.
What Pitt’s saying: “When you watch his tape, he’s a quarterback. In his senior year, I think he started the last five games there. He plays it all: defensive end, receiver, punter. He does it all. ... And when I first got on the phone with him, it’s like he’s a 25-year-old tight end. I mean, he’s got a big old beard.” — Narduzzi
Terrence Rankl, offensive tackle, Massillon High School, Massillon, Ohio
Rating: Three stars
Notable offers: Arizona State, Cincinnati, Duke, Iowa State
Role in 2021: Carter Warren, Matt Goncavles, Gabe Houy and Carson Van Lynn — the four linemen who started at tackle for Pitt this past season — will be back. True freshmen rarely contribute in their first year, and it’s not as if Pitt is hurting for a new face to fill in on the left or right side.
What Pitt’s saying: “He’s probably one of the leaders of the class, leaders of his football team. I think in his years there they’re 38-4 overall. He’s a smart, smart offensive lineman that can play, really, three different positions up front. He can be a guard, tackle or center. So he’s very multiple.” — Narduzzi
Terrence Enos, offensive tackle, Cass Tech, Detroit
Rating: Three stars
Notable offers: Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, Vanderbilt
Role in 2021: Branson Taylor, a 2020 signee at offensive tackle, played in Pitt’s last three games on special teams. Maybe Rankl or Enos could get a crack there.
What Pitt’s saying: “He’s just an enormous — large is probably not the word — physical mauling-type offensive lineman that just, just moves an entire defensive line by himself. ... We’re fired up to have Terrence here.” — Narduzzi
Trey Andersen, offensive lineman, Lehi High School, Eagle Mountain, Utah
Rating: Three stars (per 247 Sports)
Notable offers: Cal, Utah State
Role in 2021: Same as Rankl and Enos. It’s unlikely that any of them will play a major role next season. But Andersen’s experience at tight end and age (he’s two years removed from high school) could help him.
What Pitt’s saying: “His dad (former Patriots offensive lineman Jason Andersen) played in the NFL. He was on a mission for the last two years, so he’ll be a little bit older. He won’t be just a 17- or 18-year-old high school player coming in. Very mature and we’re excited about having him and his family out here.” — Narduzzi
John McGonigal: jmcgonigal@post-gazette.com and Twitter @jmcgonigal9
First Published: December 17, 2020, 5:39 p.m.
