PITTSBURGH—Pitt head coach Pat Narduzziand his staff will welcome a new group of Panthers to the reigning ACC Championship football program with Wednesday's early National Letter of Intent Day allowing Class of 2022 prospects to sign with the University of Pittsburgh.
Stay tuned for live updates from Pitt's facility at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side of Pittsburgh.
Coach Narduzzi will meet with the media later this afternoon, so look out for press conference videoon YouTube via Pitt LiveWire and right here on PittsburghPanthers.com.
#BLIT22BURGH pic.twitter.com/nVytvDPXjG
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
6:45 a.m. - Pitt'scoaches are assembled in the staff room awaiting the first batch of NLI paperwork for the Class of 2022.
One player's paperwork is already in. Australian punter Sam Vander Haar was able to send his NLI in Tuesday because NCAA rules allow signings to start at 7 a.m. local time.
Sam Vander Haar, P, 6-0, 180, Kew, Victoria (Australia)/Box Hill Senior Secondary College
Continues Pitt's Australian punter connection following the career of Kirk Christodoulou, the Panthers' starting punter the past four seasons…like Christodoulou, Vander Haar worked with the renowned Prokick Australia program that has produced many successful collegiate and NFL punters…Prokick Australia's "exports" include Minnesota Vikings punter Jordan Berry, the San Francisco 49ers' Mitch Wishnowsky, the Seattle Seahawks' Michael Dickson as well as the Houston Texans' Cameron Johnston.
7:03 a.m. - Wednesday begins with a bang! Talented and physical local prospect Sean FitzSimmons from the Pennsylvania 3A state champions at Central Valley is the first on Wednesday to submit his NLI and call Pitt's coaches.
Sean FitzSimmons, DL, 6-3, 290, Monaca, PA/Central Valley
Four-year starter who earned status as one of Pennsylvania's elite defensive linemen…finished his career with more than 100 tackles for loss and nearly 50 sacks…had 100 total tackles in each of his final two seasons despite facing constant double teams…led Central Valley to 27 consecutive wins to close his prep career, including a 7-0 victory over Wyomissing Area that clinched the Warriors' second straight PIAA Class 3A championship…recipient of the Bill Fralic Memorial Award, presented to the WPIAL's top interior lineman and named after the legendary Pitt offensive tackle…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"…Northwestern Six Defensive MVP…rated Pennsylvania's No. 21 overall prospect by Rivals and 247Sports and No. 23 by ESPN…played under Coach Mark Lyons.
7:08 a.m. - The emails are flying in for the Panthers! Running back Jordaan Bailey from Florida, pass rusher Jimmy Scott from New York, corner Ryland Gandy from Georgia and offensive lineman Ryan Baer from Ohio are bringing their talents to the ACC champions from up and down the eastern United States.
Jordaan Bailey, RB, 5-10, 185, Tampa, FL/Hillsborough
Highly productive running back at Florida's Hillsborough High School, where over three varsity seasons he compiled 2,867 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns…led team to a 10-3 record and the Florida 6A playoffs as a senior…rated one of Florida's top 55 overall prospects by 247Sports…played under Coach Earl Garcia Jr.
Jimmy Scott, DL, 6-2, 250, Cheektowaga, NY/St. Francis
The top defensive end prospect in the state of New York…compiled 43 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble on defense…as a running back on offense, scored seven touchdowns (six rushing and one receiving)…finalist for the Trench Trophy, presented to Western New York's Lineman of the Year…first team All-Western New York…rated New York's No. 3 overall prospect by Rivals and 247Sports and No 5 by ESPN…played under Coach Jerry Smith.
Ryland Gandy, DB, 6-0, 170, Buford, GA/Buford
Cornerback prospect who starred for perennial Georgia power Buford…held nearly 20 Power Five scholarship offers…helped lead team to three consecutive 6A championships…All-Region 8-AAAAAA honoree…rated one of Georgia's top 40 overall prospects by ESPN…played under Coach Bryant Appling.
Ryan Baer, OL, 6-6, 335, Eastlake, OH/North
Highly coveted offensive lineman who garnered more than 24 scholarship offers…selected first team All-Ohio Division II by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association...first team Northeast Lakes All-District…first team News Herald All-Star…as a senior, earned a 91% blocking grade while compiling 78 knockdowns…rated Ohio's No. 11 overall prospect by ESPN, No. 14 by Rivals and No. 15 by 247Sports…played under Coach Shawn Dodd.
7:40a.m. - Emails (faxes are mostly nonexistent in 2021) continue to roll in for the Panthers on Signing Day! Virginia offensive tackle Isaiah Montgomery, New Jersey linebacker Kyle Louis and New York wide receiver Addison Copeland III commit to Pitt on a surprise-free morning (so far...) for the program.
Isaiah Montgomery, OL, 6-4, 290, Virginia Beach, VA/Landstown
Earned stature as one of Virginia's top offensive linemen…three-time All-Beach District…first team Class 6 All-Region A…first team All-Tidewater…rated Virginia's No. 18 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 29 by ESPN and No. 31 by 247Sports…played under Coach Tommy Reamon.
Kyle Louis, LB, 5-11, 200, East Orange, NJ/East Orange Campus
Hard-hitting linebacker who led East Orange to a 13-0 record and the North Jersey, Group 5 Regional Championship…in the title game, a 30-24 win over Clifton in triple overtime, Louis collected a game-high 11 tackles (all solo) with a forced fumble…in the semifinals, had a 70-yard punt return that broke a scoreless tie early in the fourth quarter, sparking East Orange to a 14-0 win over West Orange…on the season, collected 118 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one interception…rated New Jersey's No. 10 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 26 by 247Sports and No. 27 by ESPN…played under Coach Rae Oliver.
Addison Copeland III, WR, 6-2, 175, Buffalo, NY/Western New York Maritime Charter
Considered the top wide receiver prospect in the state of New York…starred for co-op program Western New York Maritime Charter/Health Sciences…an all-purpose threat on offense who also excelled as a defensive back…led team to a 10-3 record and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B semifinals…first team All-Western New York…rated New York's No. 2 overall prospect by 247Sports, No. 5 by Rivals and No. 7 by ESPN…played under Coach Ty Parker.
8:15 a.m. - Pitt continues to collect expected paperwork as Texas playmakers Marquan Pope and Che Nwabukosubmit their NLI commitments now that it's past 7 a.m. local time in the Central Time Zone.
Marquan Pope, LB, 6-1, 210, Denton, TX/John H. Guyer
Standout safety for Texas state championship finalist John H. Guyer…has three interceptions, including a "pick six"…Dave Campbell's Texas Football 6A preseason all-state selection…as a junior, was named third team all-state by the Texas Sports Writers Association…All-District 5-6A…team is currently 14-1 and will play in the Texas Class 6A Division II championship against Westlake on Dec. 18…played under Coach Rodney Webb.
Che Nwabuko, WR, 5-10, 165, Austin, TX/Manor
Dynamic all-purpose player who excelled as a receiver, running back and return specialist…compiled more than 1,000 all-purpose yards each of the past two years and had 2,984 over his three-year varsity career…district's Utility Player of the Year…as a senior receiver, had 45 catches for 739 yards (16.4 avg.) and eight touchdowns…also rushed for 215 yards on 41 carries (5.2 avg.) and a score…led Manor to a 9-3 record and the Texas Class 5A Division I playoffs…played under Coach James Keller.
8:35a.m. - Coach Narduzzi and the rest of his staff are at ease for now after a busy start to Signing Day. With 11 signees on board, the Panthers have a great start to their 2022 recruiting class locked in. Since the NCAA has mandated teams get back to the 85 scholarship limit for next season, and with several super seniors eligible to return to Pitt in 2022, this year's recruiting class was always going to be smaller than usual.
There could be a surprise (or two) later in the day; but for now, things have settled here.
3:15p.m. - It was worth the wait for Pitt's 12th signee of the day! Samuel Okunlola from Massachusetts makes his Pitt commitment official on Wednesday afternoon as the four-star defensive end signs.
Samuel Okunlola, DL, 6-4, 225, Brockton, MA/Thayer Academy
Highly regarded edge rusher with more than 50 scholarship offers from across the country…All-New England…All-Independent School League (ISL)…ISL Co-Most Valuable Player…a two-way player for Thayer Academy…compiled 49 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…averaged 31.7 yards per reception as a tight end (222 yards on seven catches)…rated Massachusetts' No. 2 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 5 by 247Sports and No. 6 by ESPN…played under Coach Jeff Toussaint.
That should be it for Pitt's early Signing Day work today. Pat Narduzzi is about to meet with the media to discuss the newest Panthers. Watch the press conference later today on YouTube via Pitt LiveWire and right here on PittsburghPanthers.com.
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