While the Paul Chryst era may be off to an incredibly disappointing start on the field, it’s off to a solid start on the recruiting trail. Chryst’s first class at Pitt is headlined by Roosevelt HS (Kent, OH) quarterback Tra’von Chapman, who committed to the Panthers in June.
Chapman is rated the No. 13 QB in the 2013 class by Scout and No. 18 by Rivals. Both services consider him a four-star prospect. Chapman also had offers from Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Arizona, and others.
Chapman is a great athlete, boasting 4.5 speed, good lateral quickness and impressive strength. His strong arm allows him to make all the throws, usually with accuracy. He is becoming increasingly comfortable in the pocket, showing poise and a willingness to wait for the play to develop. He has good size at 6’2 205. Braxton Miller of Ohio State has been a popular comparison for Chapman.
Last season as a junior, Chapman completed 64 percent of his passes for over 2,200 yards, throwing 26 touchdowns to only four interceptions. He also had nearly 700 yards and eight scores on the ground. Two games into his senior season, he’s thrown for 685 yards and four touchdowns, and ran 30 times for 201 yards.
With the addition of Chapman, the Panthers’ future QB situation looks intriguing to say the least. Chad Voytik was a highly touted prospect in his own right and will almost certainly be redshirting this season, meaning there will be at most one year separating the two QBs. Throw in Arizona by way of Rutgers transfer Tom Savage, and current backup Trey Anderson, and it’s anyone’s guess as to how the future QB competition will shape out.
Photo Credits: Lisa Dejong – The Plain Dealer
