Pitt lands commitment from Cincinnati offensive tackle Phillip Daniels
Pitt added a fourth offensive lineman to its 15-man class of 2023 verbal commitments Saturday when Phillip Daniels of Cincinnati pledged to enroll. Daniels made the announcement on an Instagram video when he picked up and donned a Pitt baseball cap that was sitting among two others representing Minnesota and Purdue.
1100%COMMITTED???????????? @AllenTrieu @CoachDuzzPittFB @Pitt_FB @Rivals_Clint @PittGuru @VikeNationFB pic.twitter.com/SxTdzSJN4K
— Phillip Daniels (@PhilDaniels77) July 2, 2022
Daniels said coach Pat Narduzzi was pleased to take his call while he was on vacation in Rhode Island. “He was excited,” Daniels said.
Really productive day at the office today!!!!! #H2P ???????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/uRdNhaRk7v
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) July 2, 2022
Daniels (6-foot-5, 290 pounds) is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 3 offensive tackle in Ohio and the 31st prospect overall in the state.
Daniels made an official visit to Pitt last month and included the Panthers among four finalists that also had included Boston College. With a three-star rating from Rivals, Daniels has a total of 18 scholarship offers.
Pitt coaches made a favorable impression on him during his visit, Daniels said, especially noting his good relationship with Narduzzi. Teaching points he received from offensive line coach Dave Borbely will help him during his upcoming senior season at Princeton High School, Daniels said. Borbely helped him with his footwork, among other important aspects of playing on the offensive line.
Pitt has four verbal commitments from offensive linemen in its ‘23 class that is ranked No 24 in the nation and sixth in the ACC by Rivals.com.
Previously, Tai Ray of Apopka, Fla., and two other Ohio linemen — Colin Van Rooy of Strongsville and Ryan Carretta of Columbus — verbally committed to the Panthers.
With all five of Pitt’s starting offensive linemen entering this season as redshirt seniors, it’s important for Narduzzi to secure young offensive linemen in this year’s cycle.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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