Pitt adds Virginia 4-star linebacker to its best recruiting class in nearly two decades

Pitt continued to add talent to its best recruiting class in nearly two decades Friday when four-star outside linebacker/defensive end Naquan Brown, who decommitted from 2019 national champion LSU on Thursday, pledged to enroll next year.

Brown is a student at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va.

Enough said.. ??#hail2pitt #H2p #757topitt pic.twitter.com/SdN7xzrAUn

— Naquan Brown™ (@quanbrown_4) December 4, 2020

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he is one of three four-star prospects in Pitt’s class of 2021 that now numbers 23 players and is ranked 19th in the nation (fifth in the ACC) by Rivals.com.

Pitt’s previous best ranking since 2002 was 21st in 2006. Many players from that class helped lead the 2009 Panthers to the school’s only 10-victory season since 1981.

Coach Pat Narduzzi’s previous best class, signed in 2016, was ranked 29th.

Pitt’s other four-stars are West Mifflin defensive end Nahki Johnson and Central Catholic defensive tackle Elliot Donald.

The third prospect to verbally commit to Pitt this week, Brown is rated the No. 13 outside linebacker in the nation and Virginia’s No. 5 overall prospect, according to Rivals.

Ocean Lakes coach Joe Jones said rushing the passer is Brown’s “specialty.” Brown recorded a total of 26 sacks during his sophomore and junior seasons in 2018 and 2019.

“He rushes the quarterback as well as anybody I’ve ever coached,” said Jones, who’s been coaching high school players in Virginia for more than three decades. “He’s always working on his moves and technique.

“I told him `You’ll be scary when you get stronger.’ “

Brown’s high school career and weightlifting regimen was interrupted this year when Virginia postponed football season until the spring because of the covid-19 pandemic.

“He was making some good progress, lifting and getting stronger,” Jones said.

He said Brown plans to play spring football at Ocean Lakes when the season begins in February.

“We hope he will. We haven’t heard any different,” said Jones, who grew up near Johnstown and was a member of the Pittsburgh Gladiators indoor team after one season as a tight end for the Indianapolis Colts.

“He said he wanted to (play). LSU was fine with him playing. I’m hoping Pitt will be all right with him playing.”

Thanks in large part to the efforts of Pitt wide receivers coach and former Virginia high school coach Chris Beatty, Pitt has landed four of the top 20 prospects in that state this year. They include Brown’s Ocean Lakes teammate, wide receiver Myles Alston, and running backs Malik Newton and Rodney Hammond. Alston plans to enroll at Pitt in January, Jones said.

Brown, who chose Pitt from among 30 scholarship offers, decommitted from LSU earlier this week. Among the schools to offer Brown are Miami, Tennessee, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Florida, Boston College, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina and N.C. State.

The first day players can sign binding letters of intent is Dec. 16.

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