Sean FitzSimmons, who helped lead Central Valley to three WPIAL championships, back-to-back PIAA titles and 27 consecutive victories, was the first Pitt prospect to sign and submit his letter of intent Wednesday morning. Pitt welcomed FitzSimmons onto the team at 7:05 a.m., five minutes into the signing period.
The 1st commit and the 1st NLI today. The Hometown Hero‼️????
Panther Nation let’s welcome @seanfitz50 pic.twitter.com/FL36PecDoT
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
FitzSimmons (6-foot-3, 270 pounds) is rated the third-best prospect in the WPIAL and 21st in Pennsylvania by Rivals.com.
Within minutes, FitzSimmons was followed by Australian punter Sam Vander Haar and running back Jordaan Bailey of Tampa, Fla. By 7:30, defensive end Jimmy Scott, defensive back Ryland Gandy and four-star offensive lineman Ryan Baer had submitted their official paperwork. Within 90 minutes, 11 prospects were official.
The 11-man class is Pitt smallest in 20 years and is ranked 64th in the nation by Rivals.com, 11th in the ACC — one spot below Wake Forest, the team the Panthers defeated in the ACC championship game.
Pitt was hoping for a 12th member of the class, but four-star wide receiver Camden Brown, who had Pitt high on his list of favorites, signed with Auburn.
All the way from Australia! Our next great punter! Welcome @SamVanderhaar pic.twitter.com/bWuqVs8o7i
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Pitt eventually will need a punter to replace Kirk Christodoulou, who has handled those duties — plus holding for placements — since 2018. Coach Pat Narduzzi went back to the source to find Vander Haar, who — like Christodoulou — is a native of Melbourne, Australia.
The next great back at RBU! Panther Nation welcome @jordaanbailey_ to the Burgh! ????????‼️ pic.twitter.com/asvr0191T7
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Bailey, who de-committed from Pitt earlier this month, re-committed and signed Wednesday morning. Bailey (6-1, 180) chose Pitt over Cincinnati, Mississippi State, Syracuse, West Virginia and 11 other schools.
The ???? from New York‼️
Let’s get it rolling @jimmybearscott1! pic.twitter.com/Ma0xTnIRQS
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Scott, who is from Athol Springs, N.Y., is rated the third-best prospect in the state by Rivals. At 6-3, 250, he had a strong list of at least 18 suitors that included Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas A&M and West Virginia.
Coming to an island near you ???? @iamrdg10 will be locking ???? down WRs for the Panthers pic.twitter.com/9k32cgaGHE
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Pitt reached into Georgia to find and secure Gandy, a 6-0, 170-pound cornerback from Buford High School. North Carolina, Notre Dame and Penn State were among the 18 schools offering Gandy scholarships.
This is a Big One‼️‼️
Panther Nation, let’s welcome @RyanBaer2003 to the O Line room???????????????? pic.twitter.com/B7mTtRXBrv
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Baer, who played at Eastlake North (Ohio) High School, stands out at 6-7, 330 pounds, but also as the 29th-ranked offensive tackle in the nation, according to Rivals. He had several offers from Power 5 schools, including Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
VA —-> PITT‼️
Welcome @IsaiahMontgom13 to the Burgh! Let’s get to work ???????????? pic.twitter.com/JgSYwSGguY
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Baer will be joined in assistant offensive line coach Dave Borbely’s classroom by Isaiah Montgomery of Virginia Beach, Va. Montgomery (6-5, 287) had offers from both of Pitt’s ACC rivals in his home state — Virginia and Virginia Tech — and 13 other schools.
East Orange, N.J., native Kyle Louis, who could play on both sides of the ball, was the eighth prospect to sign with Pitt. Louis (6-0, 197) is ranked as the 10th athlete in New Jersey. He had offers from Penn State, Rutgers and West Virginia.
The missile from East Orange ‼️
Let’s go get after the QB @kylelouis09???? pic.twitter.com/pzA79M9e5b
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Pitt doesn’t typically recruit successfully in Texas, but running back Che Nwabuko of Manor High School and defensive back Marquan Pope of Denton committed in June and sent in letters of intent before 8:30 a.m.
Nwabuko (5-10, 173) is considered an all-purpose back. He had offers from Michigan and Michigan State.
The playmaker from Texas‼️
Welcome to Pitt @MarquanPope ???????????? pic.twitter.com/kwV6yQoRxs
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Pope (6-1, 206) had offers from all three service academies — Army, Navy and Air Force.
Big play Che‼️
Bringing all the speed to Pittsburgh!
????????
Welcome @CheNwabuko1 pic.twitter.com/pOFlQ7dzYQ
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Addison Copeland III (6-3, 190) was the first wide receiver to sign with Pitt. He attends Western Maritime High School in Buffalo, N.Y. He previously was committed to Rutgers.
The TD machine ????????????
Coming to an end zone near you @trench_kid0 pic.twitter.com/U3DtqzZ2lM
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 15, 2021
Five of the commits — Baer, Copeland, Gandy, FitzSimmons and Vander Haar — plan to enroll in January.
