Pitt’s 2015 NLI Day

By: Ryan Bertonaschi

When a pack of college football coaches bolt for dreamier schools and leave the old school to find its new commander-in-chief, there’s almost always turnover in the old school’s recruiting class.

That happened at Pitt just before the New Year, and when it did, not much more was on the minds of Pitt fans than the status of Jordan Whitehead. Pitt got its biggest commitment of the year when Whitehead, who seemingly could go anywhere in the country if he wanted to, named Pitt his would-be school before many microphones, hats and reporters in October. Whitehead was the 15th commitment in the class, and the 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back, Aliquippa native and standout Central Valley High School athlete has been deemed the no. 1 get in Pennsylvania by many professional recruiting analysts.

Pitt lost the commitment of defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton to natural disinterest, and then Paul Chryst left the program in December to take the Wisconsin job. Along with him went Pitt’s lone quarterback commit, Alex Hornibrook, and defensive tackle Kraig Howe, who signed with the Badgers on Wednesday. With the status of Pitt’s coaching helm to be determined, running back Sekai Lindsay and offensive lineman Rob Dowdy decommitted from the Panthers and chose other schools while a searching committee at Pitt neared the hiring of Pat Narduzzi, who inherited nine recruits when he accepted Pitt’s vacant head coaching position. Two of those commits – Kittaning tight end Nick Bowers and Altoona linebacker Kevin Givens – flipped from Pitt to Penn State just days before national letter of intent day, but Narduzzi landed verbals from eight others, including Pine Richland quarterback Ben DiNucci, to complete his recruiting class days before signing day.

Here are some facts and figures of each commit.

Saleem Brightwell – 6-10, 195
High School: Paramus Catholic (NJ)
Position: Linebacker
Prominent offers from: Illinois, Iowa, Miami (FL), Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin

Ben DiNucci – 6-2, 190
High School: Pine Richland
Position: Quarterback
Committed to University of Pennsylvania but flipped to Pitt when Pat Narduzzi offered in late January

Allen Edwards – 6-4, 235
Previous School: Dean College (JUCO)
Position: Defensive End
Had interest from UMass and Missouri

Darrin Hall – 5-11, 215
High School: Austintown Fitch (OH)
Position: Running Back
Prominent offers from: Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue, Vanderbilt and WVU

Malik Henderson – 6-0, 174
High School: Hallandale (FL)
Position: Cornerback
Prominent offers from: Arkansas, Indiana

Quadree Henderson – 5-8, 170
High School: Alexis l du Pont (Del)
Position: WR
Prominent offers from: Clemson, Nebraska, WVU

Gentry Ivery – 6-1, 205
High School: Legacy (TX)
Position: Wide Receiver
Interest from: San Diego State, Tulsa

Dane Jackson – 6-0, 170
High School: Quaker Valley
Position: ATH
Prominent offers from: Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Duquesne and Indiana State

Anthony McKee – 6-2, 195
High School: Marion Franklin (OH)
Position: Linebacker
Prominent offers from: Oklahoma, Michigan State, Wisconsin

Alex Paulina – 6-3, 280
High School: Canon-McMillan
Position: Offensive Lineman
Prominent offers from: Virginia Tech

Tony Pilato – 6-7, 290
High School: Hempfield
Position: Offensive Lineman
Prominent offers from: Maryland, Minnesota, Syracuse, Virginia, West Virginia

Jay Stocker – 6-2, 185
High School: Coatesville (PA)
Position: Safety
Prominent offers from: Georgia Tech, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Tre Tipton – 6-0, 160
High School: Apollo-Ridge
Position: Wide Receiver
Prominent offers from: Michigan State

Jordan Whitehead – 5-10, 180
High School: Central Valley
Position: Cornerback
Prominent offers from: Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin